Just thought I would share the article that I wrote for our newsletter at work. The topic I was assigned? Environmental Safety and Awareness! Hope you like it.
I Learned It All Watching Cartoons…
As a child growing up in the 70's, my Saturday mornings were filled with unique learning opportunities. I learned how a bill comes to sit on Capitol Hill and about our nations' 'Great Melting Pot'. I learned that 'three is a magic number', about the function of conjunctions and that Lolly's sells adverbs. Timer taught me why it's important to have a good breakfast every morning, had me 'hankerin' for a hunka cheese' and begging my mother for freezer space to make 'sunshine on a stick'. I'm sure that you have your favorites and can still recite a line or two as well.
There are dozens of other lessons that I learned on Saturday mornings. Among those widely popular characters who had something to teach was our good friend Woodsy Owl. Looking back, I realize that what Woodsy taught provided a foundation of environmental awareness for me. Woodsy taught me about water pollution and how it's important that we keep our lakes and streams clean and free of contaminants for animals, plants and for future enjoyment. I learned that whenever I see litter I should pick it up and throw it away. I learned that vandalism destroys property and trees. Woodsy even skipped down a street with at least a hundred boys and girls on bikes instead of in cars while singing about clean air. He taught me that if we each did a little bit, it would make a big difference. His message, as simplistic as it was, still applies today. "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute".
A few weekends back, I spent a Saturday morning watching cartoons with my little people. I quickly realized that their Saturday ritual is vastly different than mine at their age. All of the educational messages that once played in between my favorite cartoons have been replaced with advertisements for toys and kids meals.
Environmental awareness and safety is everyone's responsibility. As adults it is our responsibility to teach children and youth about our environment and how to protect it. The messages need be no more complicated than those that Woodsy taught on Saturday morning years ago. Teach by example, show them how to recycle, and explain complicated things like air quality and oil spills to them in terms that they can understand. The example that you set and the things that you teach them will leave a lasting impression and provide a foundation of environmental awareness in our rising generations. "Hoot, Hoot!"
