Natural Library: An Opportunity for Children to Familiarize with Practical Life Skills

Abstract

A natural library focusing on the education of life skills and friendship with nature welcomes children aged 3 to 12 years old to commune with nature, soil, trees, and animals away from the modern machined-dominated life. The modern generation is indifferent towards natural God-given gifts, or worse, damages the natural environment. Under such circumstances, children spend a while in a natural library, experiencing various natural components, familiarizing with animals, and watching plants growth closely.

A natural library is based on biophilia, which believes that children have an innate and genetically determined affinity towards nature. A natural library has been tentatively established in Valeh Girls’ Elementary School, Region 2, Tehran, by the Iranian Department of Environment in association with the Ministry of Education. This library has carried out activities such as children environmental education, weekly visits to the nature called ‘Let’s go on a field trip!’, establishment of small gardens with help of children for plants education, and ‘Animals, we like you!’ Program to promote the animal protection.