The New York Culture: Little heroes of the planet: how children can save the future

An inspiring guide for parents, educators, and communities who want to teach children the value of sustainability

Children are the seeds of the future, and with small actions, they can transform the world. Discover how to guide them in preserving the environment and building a greener, healthier planet!

Teaching children the importance of preserving the environment is a vital step toward ensuring a sustainable future. In a world where rampant consumption and exploitation of natural resources threaten the planet’s balance, the new generation has the power to change this reality. Recent studies, such as those published in the Journal of Environmental Education (2024), show that children exposed to sustainability practices develop greater ecological awareness and adopt responsible behaviors throughout their lives. Inspired by Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s Environmental Sustainability for Children Collection, particularly the book Ten Ways to Help Preserve the Environment, this article explores how parents and educators can use the Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy (PCA) — MBPT (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), and ThM (Theater Movement) — to engage children in practical and transformative actions.

The first step in involving children in environmental preservation is teaching the importance of water, one of Earth’s greatest treasures, as highlighted in Book 1: One of the Earth’s Greatest Treasures, Water. A simple activity is creating a “water-saving game,” where children monitor water use at home, such as turning off the tap while brushing their teeth. The MBPT methodology can be used to stage stories with puppets that show how water is essential to life. For example, a river-shaped puppet can “talk” to children about avoiding waste. Studies from Environmental Science & Policy (2023) indicate that children who learn about water conservation early on develop sustainable habits that positively impact their communities.

Curiosity Box: Children can save up to 3 liters of water per day just by turning off the tap while brushing their teeth, according to studies on water conservation.

Reducing, reusing, and recycling — the famous 5R’s addressed in Book 5: The 5R’s – The Right Way to Say ‘Good Morning’ to the Environment — are concepts that can be taught in a fun way. The MAT methodology is perfect for this, as it combines reflection, action, and theater. Parents can organize a workshop where children create toys from recyclable materials, like turning PET bottles into toy cars. During the activity, they reflect on the impact of waste on the planet and perform a short play about the 5R’s. Research from the Journal of Cleaner Production (2024) shows that hands-on activities like these enhance children’s understanding of sustainability, encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly practices daily.

Practical Tip: Create a “recyclable treasure box” at home or school. Encourage children to collect materials like cardboard boxes and toilet paper rolls to create new objects, reinforcing the idea of reuse.

Planting trees is another powerful way to engage children in environmental preservation, as explored in Book 4: The Tree Makes the Environment Smile. The ThM methodology can turn this act into an unforgettable experience by combining movement and expression. For instance, a school can organize an event where children dance around a newly planted sapling, creating a “nature choreography” that celebrates tree growth. Studies from Global Environmental Change (2024) show that children who participate in planting activities develop a stronger emotional connection with nature, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability.

Inspiring Story: Malala Yousafzai, known for her fight for education, also advocates for sustainability, emphasizing that a healthy planet is essential for ensuring access to education for all. Her story inspires children to act for the environment with courage and purpose.

Book 3: Ten Ways to Help Preserve the Environment offers a practical guide for actions children can take, such as saving energy by turning off unnecessary lights. The MBPT methodology can bring this lesson to life with puppets that “teach” children to switch off lights in a staged room. This playful approach is supported by research from Environmental Education Research (2025), which shows that children learn best when environmental education is combined with creative activities. Involving children in concrete actions, like checking if appliances are turned off, empowers them to become change agents in their homes.

Motivational Quote: “Learning is most effective when it is a shared experience.” – Lev Vygotsky

Selective waste collection and recycling, central themes of Book 6: Waste, Selective Collection, and Recycling, are essential lessons for teaching children about the impact of waste on the environment. Using the MAT methodology, educators can create a theatrical game where children sort “staged” waste into different colored bins, learning the importance of recycling. A practical example is setting up a “recycling station” at school, where children classify materials and discuss how mismanaged waste harms the planet. Studies from Waste Management (2023) indicate that children educated about recycling positively influence their families’ habits, amplifying the impact of environmental education.

Practical Tip: Teach children to identify different types of waste (organic, recyclable, non-recyclable) with a colorful poster. Create a reward system, like stars, for each day they sort waste correctly.

Combating pollution, addressed in Book 9: The Day the White-Spotted Owl and the Boiled Potatoes Defeated Pollution, can be taught creatively with the ThM methodology. An engaging activity is organizing an “anti-pollution parade” at school, where children march with signs and theatrical movements symbolizing the fight against pollution. This approach helps internalize the importance of protecting air and water. Research from Environmental Health Perspectives (2024) shows that children who participate in educational activities about pollution develop a greater sense of environmental responsibility, influencing their communities.

Inspiring Story: Nelson Mandela, while promoting reconciliation in South Africa, also supported environmental preservation initiatives, recognizing that a healthy environment is essential for social justice. His story motivates children to care for the planet with the same commitment.

Teaching about basic sanitation, as in Book 8: With Basic Sanitation, the Environment Is Happy, is another way to engage children. The MBPT methodology can be used to create a play with puppets that explain how treated sewage protects rivers and seas. For example, a fish-shaped puppet can “talk” about how pollution affects its home. Studies from Water Research (2024) highlight that children who learn about basic sanitation are more likely to adopt hygiene practices that benefit the environment. These lessons, when presented playfully, become memorable and impactful.

Curiosity Box: A single child can influence their family to reduce the use of single-use plastics, saving up to 100 kilos of waste per year, according to studies on household sustainability.

Ultimately, engaging children in environmental preservation is an investment in the planet’s future. Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s Environmental Sustainability for Children Collection, with its Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy, offers powerful tools to make environmental education fun and meaningful. Whether planting trees, recycling, or learning about water, children can become little environmental heroes. As Maria Montessori said, “what we do with our hands, the mind remembers.” May parents, educators, and communities use these lessons to inspire children to build a greener, fairer, and more sustainable world.

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