Chapter 2.6: Joy in Nature

Hello, young explorers! Are you ready for an adventure? This chapter is all about the wonderful world of nature right here in Hong Kong. We'll learn about amazing places to visit, how to stay safe while having fun, and how we can all be heroes for our planet, plants, and animal friends. Let's go!


Fun Places to Go!

Hong Kong has lots of beautiful outdoor spots. Let's learn about two special types: Country Parks and Beaches.

What are Country Parks and Beaches?
  • Country Parks are huge areas of nature with mountains, trees, and walking trails. They are protected to keep them beautiful. It's a great place for a family hike or a picnic!
  • Beaches are sandy areas next to the sea. You can build sandcastles, play in the waves, and enjoy the sunshine.
Finding Your Way Around

How do we know where to go in a big park? We use a map! A map is like a drawing from above that shows you where everything is.

For example, a map of a country park can show you where the walking trails, toilets, and barbecue areas are. It helps us plan our route and not get lost. Don't worry, using a map is easier than you think!

When is the Best Time to Go?

Thinking about the season helps us plan the best trip!

  • Autumn (cool and dry): Perfect weather for hiking in a country park!
  • Summer (hot and sunny): A great time to cool down and have fun at the beach!
Key Takeaway

Hong Kong has beautiful country parks and beaches for us to explore. Using a map and choosing the right season makes our trip even more fun!


Staying Safe Outdoors

Exploring is super fun, and it's even better when we know how to stay safe. Let's become Safety Super Stars!

Be a Weather Watcher!

The weather can change quickly. Before you go out, always check the weather forecast. This helps you wear the right clothes and bring the right gear.

  • Sunny Day: Wear a hat, put on sunscreen, and drink lots of water to avoid heatstroke (getting sick from being too hot).
  • Rainy Day: Bring a raincoat and wear shoes that don't slip.

It's also smart to have a backup plan, just in case the weather turns bad and you need to go home early.

What Do Beach Flags Mean?

Have you seen flags at the beach? They are like traffic lights for the sea! They tell us if it's safe to swim.

Quick Review: Beach Flags

Here are the most important ones to know:

  • Red and Yellow Flag: This is the best one to see! It means lifeguards are on duty and it is safe to swim in the area between these flags.
  • Red Flag: DANGER! This means it is not safe to go into the water. The waves might be too big or there might be another danger.

Remember: Always swim where the lifeguards can see you!

Key Takeaway

To stay safe, always check the weather before you go on an outing. At the beach, look for the flags to know where and when it's safe to swim.


Caring for Our Beautiful World

We love nature, so we must be Nature Heroes and protect it! This means following rules and taking care of the environment.

Rules of the Countryside

When we are in a country park, we are visitors in the home of many plants and animals. We should be respectful guests!

  • Take nothing but pictures: Don't pick flowers or take rocks home. Let them stay for everyone to enjoy.
  • Leave nothing but footprints: This is the most important rule! Whatever you bring with you, you must take home with you. This is called waste reduction, which means making less rubbish.
  • Be kind to animals: Watch them from a distance but don't try to touch or feed them.
Did you know?

A plastic bottle left in nature can take more than 400 years to disappear! That's why it's so important to take all our rubbish with us.

Key Takeaway

To protect the environment, we follow rules like not disturbing plants and animals, and we always take our rubbish home with us.


Growing and Caring

You don't have to go to a park to enjoy nature. We can bring nature into our homes by caring for plants and small animals!

How to Care for a Plant

Plants are living things, just like us! They have basic needs to survive.

What a plant needs:

  1. Sunlight: Plants use light as food. Place them near a window!
  2. Water: They get thirsty, just like we do.
  3. Air: They need to breathe.
  4. Soil: This is their home and where they get nutrients.

By giving a plant what it needs, you can watch it grow from a tiny seed into a big, beautiful plant!

How to Care for a Small Animal

Having a pet like a hamster or a fish is a big responsibility. They depend on us completely!

What a small animal needs:

  • A clean and safe home.
  • The right kind of food every day.
  • Fresh, clean water.
  • Our love and gentle care.
Watching Life Grow

Just like you grow bigger every year, plants and animals also grow and change. This is called a life cycle. It is amazing to watch a seed sprout or a small pet grow up.

Part of life is also growing old. We learn to face the aging, illness, and even death of our pets and plants with a positive attitude. It reminds us to treasure and respect life in all its stages and to be kind and gentle to every living thing, every single day.

Key Takeaway

Caring for plants and animals teaches us responsibility. All living things have basic needs and a life cycle, and it is important to treasure and respect them.