Museo Pambata Part 5: Instilling Environmental Awareness Early On

Museo Pambata has an awesome exhibit to encourage kids to think of the environment and be aware of climate change. Entitled "I love my Planet Earth" the exhibit is in a visually appealing space. Narra was running around excitedly. The emphasis is on what kids can do at home to help reduce their carbon footprint. I plan to keep coming back to this exhibit so that I can take the time to explain each section of the exhibit in greater detail.  

On one of the walls is a dynamic display that shows the picture of a wet and green rice field that transforms into arid land as you walk from left to right.  The visual illusion delivers a high-impact message. I already tell Narra to conserve water at home whenever she turns  on the faucet by herself, or takes a bath. I tell her, Mama Earth cries when we waste water, and the running tap is like her tears. Exhibits like these help me drive home the point more effectively and lend authority to my spiels with my young daughter.

In a previous exhibit located in a nearby hall, where there was a typical rural home (bahay kubo), there was also a poso or water pump on display. Narra had fun playing with the poso. I explained to Narra that in some parts of the country, people have to pump their own water and walk long distances to bring measured quantities to their homes. Thus, they know how to value and conserve water and do not use the precious resource wastefully. This is in stark contrast to some urbanites who have the convenience of  running water in their homes which often leads to wasteful habits.   

According to the Museo Pambata website, the theme room called "Kalikasan" (Environment), will reopen to the public soon. This room simulates a rainforest and seabed, to allow kids to go "nature-tripping". This theme room aims to inspire kids to value Mother Nature and to take positive steps towards preservation.  This exhibit was closed when we were there, so I have even more to look forward to when I take Narra there again. It's never to early to start getting kids environmentally aware, and I am so glad a have a place to take Narra where I can teach her important lessons on conservation while doing it in a fun and playful way.

Related Posts:

Museo Pambata Part 1: Introducing Kids to Philippine Architecture
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-1-introducing-kids.html

Museo Pambata Part 2: Encouraging Kids to be Writers and Artists
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-encouraging-kids-to-be.html

Museo Pambata Part 3: Introducing Kids to Theater, Dance, and Music
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-3-introducing-kids.html

Museo Pambata Part 4: Exposing Kids to Entrepreneurship
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-4-exposing-kids-to.html

Narra's Star on Museo Pambata's Christmas Tree

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/narras-star-on-museo-pambatas-christmas.html