“Play is the work of children.” – Friedrich Froebel
This often paraphrased quote is as true today as it was when Froebel, the Father of Kindergarten, uttered those words in the 1800s. I suspect Friedrich might be sorely disappointed in what goes on today.
Somewhere along the course of the last 30 years or so, childhood has changed drastically in America. What was once marked by kickball games, playing in the creek, hanging out with neighborhood friends, and boisterous laughter in backyards and neighborhood parks has been replaced. In its place is a hyper-scheduled, adult-paced existence that is leaving many children exhausted, stressed out, and unhappy.
Of course, there are numerous co-factors: parents’ schedules, increased screen time, safe access to green space, and countless others add up to childhood’s failing grade in today’s society. In 2007, UNICEF released a report ranking the state of children in 21 developed countries on a variety of factors, including happiness. The United States came in second-to-last on the list of “worst countries for kids.” How can this be? And, more importantly, what are we going to do about it?
Personally, I have had enough, so I am starting this blog: The Grass Stain Guru. As much it is about reconnecting to nature and the benefits of unstructured play, for me it’s about a much larger issue: Restoring childhood.
This isn’t about judgment or any larger agenda than this: I want us all to make time for unstructured play, to get a little dirty, to feel the sand between our toes and the sun on our face. I want childhood to be steeped in mud and covered in grass stains, the way many of us remember it. I want adults to have fun too, parents and nonparents alike! It’s as simple and as difficult as that. Let’s take childhood off the endangered species list, and save ourselves in the process.
As the national and global economy continue to struggle and we look as a nation to simplify the way we live and explore sustainable lifestyles, I challenge us all to look beyond the fiscal and environmental, and add happiness and genuine human connections to the list. Without those, nothing is truly sustainable. We cannot simply reconnect with nature, but we have to reconnect with ourselves and each other and teach today’s children to do the same.
So, who’s with me?! Let’s have some fun. Join me – let’s go play. I’ll race you to the forked tree in the park. We’ll have a picnic and chat. We’ll laugh and watch the clouds go by. Trust me – you’re going to LOVE it!
See you outside- The Grass Stain Guru
WooooooooooHooooooooo!
The Grass Stain Guru!
Fantastic – you sound like my mum did when I was a kid!
My pregnant friend has already said when her little boy comes to stay with me he isn’t going to be wearing his “good” clothes. He’ll be wearing his GREAT clothes, clothes fit for having FUN. She knows how messy he’ll get.
I’m just discovering ways to have fun as an adult that resemble all the things I loved as a child. And it was through http://www.natural-pathways.co.uk that I was “allowed” to switch off the phone, get into my GREAT clothes and live in the woods, making shelters and foraging for food, listening to the animals and catching leaves falling with the October breeze. So wonderful to feel that child I was breathing deeply of life and loving every second.
Humans are meant to be outdoors. Play every day it’s only natural.
Congrats on the new blog. It looks great. Will return for new posts.
I’m in for sure! I feel bad for the kids having to see their parents struggling to make ends meet. Let’s let our hair down, slip off our shoes and run through some freshly cut grass…sounds like heaven to me!
Thanks for the kind words! Really looking forward to swapping ideas and inspiration with folks. As someone once said, “This is not a dress rehearsal!” Let’s make the best of this life. Viva PLAY! xo – TGSG
Congrats on the new site and sentiments! Just this afternoon, I plan on hitting the yard and getting it all geared up for a spring / summer of fun outside. While my daughter won’t be walking around much at the moment (a. she’s not walking yet and b. I have yet to clear the winter’s worth of dog-doo in the yard), I greened up the yard with her in mind – a special, safe place outside where she can run and pick flowers and watch bugs and create memories like the ones I have from my own childhood. Bravo, Bethe!
Well said, Bethe! I love the new blog and wholeheartedly agree with your message. Kids need more outdoor time to enjoy nature and just be kids. We’ll all be better off.
I look forward to future posts!
Thanks for taking a stand on this important issue. My 11-year-old daughter goes to a “good school” in NYC, but she has *hours* of homework every night. Kids need time to be kids.
Congrats on the new blog! Looking forward to reading more!
Virginia State Parks has developed GPS Adventures to interest technology addicted kids in nature. Check out my latest blog @ http://blog.virginiaparks.org/blog/dcr-virginia/0/0/gps-adventures-enthrall-young-people. I linked to your new blog too.
Congratulations on your new venture. I will be a daily visitor. Will you post daily?
Thanks, Sara! And yes, the goal is to post daily. Of course, as TGSG it is my sworn duty to have & promote daily play time & reduced screen-time, so I reserve the right to play hookie from time-to-time!
Hope everyone will do the same! Cheers- Bethe
The theme of this first article and of the site are right on, Bethe! Being outside playing is a fundamental component of a happy, healthy childhood. I look forward to seeing how this blog and mine, Playborhood.com, can work together toward this goal.
Good luck!!!
I love this! First, what a great title for a blog and for yourself. Second, what a great mission. Everyone needs more fun and we could all use a picnic under a tree. I’ll bring the chocolate cupcakes.
I will share your message with the rest of the OBS bloggers. A lot of our member bloggers are concerned about getting kids more involved in outdoor activities. Your message is right up our alley.
FUN
as you probably noticed, we are outside a lot…one of the advantages of living in a [sometimes too warm] climate…we’ll herd some roly-polies in your honor
Roly-polies and chocolate cupcakes. I like the way y’all think!
This is a first step in the reclamation of our humanity, not simply childhood. Thanks for getting us off on the right foot and you may take 3 giant steps!
@balmeras has a new blog! It’s about the lost art of real child play. I’m going to write a comment. Congrats! http://bit.ly/optqK
Hey Girl,
Lookin’ good here. Lovely site. I loved my childhood of poking into nooks and crannies out of doors! It made me who I am today. And btw, I linked my blog to yours.
Love, Your Fan Club in Boyds, MD.
Congratulations, Bethe,
Play is the best way to learn, connect, have fun and remain fit for us parents as much as for the kids.
“Whoever wants to understand much must play much.” ~Gottfried Benn
Bravo Bethe! I’ve never seen the benefit in an 8-year old being run all over town for ballet lessons, soccer and tai kwon do all at the same time! Everyone has apparently driven themselves mad in an effort to give their children a head start, but instead we have ended up with so many stressed-out kids who have no idea how to just have fun. I applaud your insight and your willingness to start doing something about it.
Thanks for being a voice for children and for the power of play! Looking forward to checking in for daily shots of play-filled thinking and ideas. You are the Princess of Play—grass stains and all!
How much fun is this blog? Man, oh man…I think and sometimes talk about this very topic – but clearly, not enough.
You ROCK, Bethe!! What a timely and important Blog site you’ve created!
You speak the truth my friend. This weekend was the first time in what seems like months I was able to get my two boys outside to play for an extended period of time. I let them run (or crawl) around our horribly muddy back yard all afternoon. We even had dinner outside. They were caked in mud literally from head to toe and I think it was the most enjoyable time we’ve had in weeks. All winter I’ve had my 3.5 year old in swim, soccer, gymnastics classes to expel some energy and he’s still been bouncing off the walls. One afternoon in the backyard playing in the mud did what I was trying to do all winter -turn him into a happy little guy.
Overwhelmed by all these amazing comments! It is such an important topic, and I am thrilled to see folks happy to discuss it. I will, of course, start pulling out the stats & research in future posts, but I think it’s important to also use our guts & insights when we look at issues. Thanks for sharing yours!
Cheers- Bethe
Great sentiments Bethe,
for those that are interested in seeing how EveryChild are working towards giving childhood back to those that need it the most, please visit our chances4childhood gallery:
http://www.everychild.org.uk/content/chances4childhood
Thanks!
EveryChild
In case u missed it, or are a new follower , I launched a NEW blog this week. Please check it out! http://grassstainguru.com/?p=26 Viva Play
Hey Bethe. I’m so looking forward to reading this blog. I love getting my kids outside whenever possible. Especially when it’s for a great game of Pooh Sticks…!
Lon! I will never live down my Pooh Sticks comment! Mark my words, your kids would love it. And so would you!
Cheers- Bethe
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[...] started this blog with a thought — a notion that has been itching at me for a few years now: Restoring childhood, and saving ourselves in the process. Now, that’s a tall order — I get that. But after writing for someone else for a few [...]
@balmeras HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Freidrich Froebel, the father of Kindergarten! From The Guru Archives http://bit.ly/BH0Fc #playoutdoors