What a turtle hospital taught our 4 year old about the ocean

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On holiday in the Florida Keys we visited the Turtle Hospital, where every single patient is a sea turtle. Verity fed them lettuce, met turtles recovering from boat injuries, and learned that people can help sea animals get better.

Lunchtime at the Turtle Hospital. The turtles were very keen on the lettuce.

One of the patients, getting better before going home to the sea.

Four year olds can't fix plastic pollution. But they can learn to love the ocean, and that's where caring starts. Here's what works at this age.

Easy things to do together

Mini beach clean: ten minutes, one bag, gloves on. The Marine Conservation Society runs beach cleans you can join.
Ocean games at home: MCS has free family activities.
Visit a sea life rescue centre: seeing real animals being cared for makes it click.
Swap one plastic thing: let them choose a reusable bottle and tell them why.

Mum tip: Keep it hopeful. 'We pick up litter so turtles stay safe' works much better than scary pictures for little ones.

Verity's verdict
[Mum: add something Verity said about the turtles here, in her own words.]