evolution planet ecology nature

what is evolution - snake

Uncovering the Secrets of the Natural World: The Theory of Evolution


Explain to children in kid friendly terms theory of evolution, including natural selection and adaptation, and discover how different species have evolved over time. This is built as a conversation between my daughter and myself for interactive learning for kids.

 

Akku: Mom, I learned about the theory of evolution in biology class today and I have some questions. Can you explain it to me more?

Of course, Akku. Evolution is the process by which living organisms change and adapt over time in response to their environment. It’s a natural process that has been occurring on Earth for billions of years.

Akku: Okay, that makes sense. But how does evolution actually happen?

Well, evolution occurs through a process called natural selection. In natural selection, certain traits or characteristics that are beneficial to an organism’s survival and reproduction are passed on to future generations. For example, if a group of animals live in an environment where there is not much food, the animals that are able to find food more efficiently will be more likely to survive and reproduce. Their offspring will then inherit their ability to find food efficiently, and over time, the population of animals will become better adapted to their environment.

What is evolution - dinosaur skeleton

Akku: That’s really interesting. So, evolution helps organisms to better survive in their environment?

Exactly. Evolution helps organisms to better survive and thrive in their environment. It’s an ongoing process that helps species to adapt to changes in their environment, such as changes in climate, food availability, and competition with other species.

Akku: I see. So, does that mean that humans have evolved too?

 Yes, humans have evolved just like all other living organisms. Our ancestors were different from us in many ways, but over time, we have evolved to better survive and thrive in our environment.

What is evolution - forest

Akku: Can you give me some examples of how humans have evolved?

Sure. One example of how humans have evolved is in our ability to walk upright on two legs. This allowed us to explore new environments and find food more efficiently. Another example is the development of language, which has allowed us to communicate and cooperate with each other. We have also evolved to have a more complex brain, which has allowed us to develop tools, create art, and advance technologically.

Akku: Wow, that’s really cool. It’s amazing to think about how much we have changed and adapted over time.

It is indeed. Evolution is a powerful and fascinating process that has shaped the diversity of life on Earth. It’s important to understand how evolution works, as it helps us to better understand the world around us and our place in it.

what is evolution - humans

Akku: Yeah, I can see how that would be important. Thanks for explaining it to me, Mom.

You’re welcome, Akku. I’m happy to help. Do you have any more questions on the topic?

Akku: Not right now, but I might have more questions later. Thanks again, Mom.

No problem, Akku. I’m always here to help you learn and explore new ideas.


So many Languages!

desert

Akku: Mommy, how many languages are spoken in the world?

The scientists who study languages, called linguists, say that around 7000 languages are spoken worldwide today.

Akku: No way…but why are there so many languages?

Human migration, the process of moving from one place to another, played a big role in evolving and creating so many languages. 

Akku: How did that happen?


 

Years ago, humans split off into groups. As that happened, one language turned into many. People had to learn to live in very different places like hot deserts, freezing mountains and rainforests. Each place had different kinds of weather, plants, and animals. Having new words to talk about these new things helped people adapt to their new home and survive. After a while, new words and ways of life helped lead to totally new languages.

Akku: Wow! But why are languages so important?

 

Mom: Language helps express our emotions, desires, and questions to the world around us.

Akku: That makes sense. Mommy, so when was the first language created?

 

Mom: Language first evolved with modern Homo sapiens, who are our forefathers, around 150,000 years ago.

Akku: Is that language still spoken? Is it English?

No. Languages change as they are handed down from generation to generation, due to change in culture, living conditions and influence of other languages. This led us to speak different languages at different places.

Akku: So what did the first humans speak at that time ?

It started off with sign languages, then they started grunting, hooting and crying out, then more specific sounds and this gradually developed into the language we use today.

Akku: Then why couldn’t we speak the same language. Why speak different languages?

As I said earlier, they migrate to different places. Once a group of people settled in a place, they were often isolated from other groups. People usually don’t mix much, their words don’t either. But they do sometimes learn and borrow some words from other groups. For example, people speaking different languages might meet to trade, or were forced to leave home and move closer to another group. Isolation and mixing over a long period of time helped create so many languages. 

 

migrtion

Akku: Now I get it. And I think English is the most spoken language in the world, right mom?

No, Mandarin Chinese is spoken by 1.3 Billion people, Spanish by 460 million and then English by 379 million people.

Chinese