Talking to children about hate crimes; Free Little Art Galleries; where cacti thrive; Bat Appreciation Month
|  | Sunday, October 3, 2021 | | | | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY PETE OXFORD / MINDEN PICTURES | | By Rachel Buchholz, KIDS AND FAMILY Editor in Chief
One of my favorite things about visiting my grandparents in rural Texas was looking for horny toads (or, as scientists call them, Texas horned lizards). Although my adult self would tell nine-year-old me that I shouldn’t be chasing and capturing any wild creature, these reptiles’ spiky bodies, squishy bellies, and non-threatening nature made them favorite targets of my curiosity.
Sadly, these critters are now a threatened species in Texas, in part because of urban development and—of all things—an invasion of killer fire ants. And though nostalgia will make Texans like me wring our hands over the potential loss of this lizard, I wonder how much anyone else really cares.
Because—let’s face it—most kids likely care more about the plight of furry giant pandas and tigers than a freaky, scaly reptile. But as tomorrow’s World Animal Day emphasizes, protecting not-so-cute wildlife is just as important as helping the ones that make us go “Aw!” (For instance, horned lizards keep insect populations in check and are important food sources for snakes, which keep rodent populations in check. Biodiversity, y’all!)
But parents can help shift children’s attitudes toward not-so-cute animals, like the Pacific horned frog above. For instance:
• Find common ground. You wouldn’t want someone busting up your home, right? Same with a spider and its web. Check out these other ideas on how kids can develop empathy for less-appreciated animals.
• Focus on the fun. Learning weird-but-true facts about not-so-adorable animals will help children appreciate them more—and therefore want to protect them. These kid-friendly quizzes on freaky frogs and bizarre ocean creatures can get them started.
• Stay local. Your average neighborhood bird might not be as exciting as an exotic flamingo or toucan, but it’s still important. Draw kids’ attention to local wildlife by going on a sidewalk safari using these bingo cards. (For a little more geography on their journey, check out these map-inspired Nat Geo shoes from Reebok.)
Kids don’t have to give up their adoration of polar bears, cheetahs, and other sweet-faced animals. But understanding that all creatures are important to Earth’s health is a big step in becoming an empowered steward of the planet.
Now if someone could please help me understand the importance of rats …
If you want to get this newsletter every week, sign up here. If you want your children to get Nat Geo Kids or Nat Geo Little Kids magazines, subscribe here. | | | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY RINGO CHIU / AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES | | | Talking to children about hate crimes. One of the most disturbing things I learned in the wake of the recent FBI report stating that hate crimes against Asians and Black people have soared to a record 12-year high was that more than 10 percent of the offenders are younger than 18. That’s why it’s so important to talk to kids about what a hate crime is and give them tools to safely become allies for those being victimized. Loudly dropping a book when they see someone being taunted for their race or gender, or even sitting with the victim in the cafeteria after an incident are a couple of ways children can show empathy and support. Get more ideas for talking to kids about hate crimes here. | | | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY JUDY ROBERTSON, FREE LITTLE ART GALLERY SRQ | | | Tiny hands, tiny art. Your kid has probably taken a book from a Free Little Library in your neighborhood. How about leaving or taking some art? Free Little Art Galleries are popping up across the country, and this interactive style of art—where children create art in response to others’—can help stimulate creativity and decrease stress. Kids can make miniaturized crafts like poofy pom-poms, magazine-paper beads, or other ideas here (like the above unicorn art by a six-year-old, displayed in Sarasota, Florida). | | | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNEE, ALAMY | | | Saguaro National Park, Arizona. Now that kids have an appreciation for not-so-adorable animals, it’ll be easy for them to love plants—like the saguaro cacti above—that need help, too. The largest cactus in the U.S., the saguaro is threatened by invasive species, urban development, and even wildfires. A visit to Saguaro National Park—where the cacti thrive—can introduce kids to these symbols of the Southwest, as well as the Indigenous people who settled there and, fine, some cute animals like cougars and black bears. | | | |
| TRY THIS: BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR KIDS | |
| Duh! October is Bat Appreciation Month. These important pollinators (thank bats for things like banana splits and guac) and pest-eaters often freak kids out, so challenge them to rethink their horror with these seven myth-busting facts. Nope, they don’t vant to drink your blood—but this silly music video might mesmerize your kids anyway. Maybe it’ll inspire them to create this bat costume for Halloween. (Speaking of the upcoming holiday, how about 300 fun facts in the Nat Geo Kids book Weird But True! Halloween?)
Explorer Classroom is back! Introduce your kids to behind-the-scenes stories and the ability to interact with cutting-edge scientists, researchers, and powerful storytellers from around the world with the National Geographic Society’s free Explorer Classroom! Topics range from cheetahs and chimpanzees to robotics and the solar system. Events are scheduled by age group with events added regularly. Events for ages 4-8 are Mondays at 11 a.m. ET and events for ages 9-14 are Thursdays at 10 a.m. ET and 2 p.m. ET. See the upcoming lineup of events here.
This newsletter was edited and curated by Rachel Buchholz, with David Beard and Monica Williams. Have a healthy and a sane (as possible) week ahead! | | | |
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