Since we’re talking about the concept of restoring childhood, I think it’s important to start with what that might look like. In the coming months, we will discuss many of these themes, as well as the research out there to support them. For now, mull these over—TGSG’s Mini Manifesto. Talk amongst ya-selves, as Linda Richman would say!
1. You only get one childhood. It should be marked by as much awe and wonder as possible, and spent in supportive communities with plenty of time spent outdoors, just being a kid.
2. Play is at its best when it is child-directed and unplugged. We adults tend to muddle it up with too much structure, too many rules, and prescriptive outcomes. Electronic play takes much of the creativity out of the equation, as well as limiting the all important aspect of social interaction.
3. Givem’ a break! Kids need time to unwind, to play and run, and to decompress. I support recess in schools and a reduced homework load. Not only will it benefit kids’ physical and emotional health, but it will benefit them in terms of learning readiness.
4. You cannot bubble-wrap childhood. Kids fall down, knees get scraped, and sometimes worse. But kids also get back up again. They learn about consequences and to assess risk. They learn about how to interact with the world and learn their place in it, but only when they are allowed to experience it.
5. Screen time should be limited. TV, internet, video games, etc. You might be surprised at how much time you and your family actually spend in front of an electronic screen. It’s simply not just the quality of what kids are watching or playing, educational or otherwise, but the quantity.
6. It’s OK for kids to be “bored.” We seem to have gotten to a place where we think we have to entertain or have a schedule of activities for every minute. It’s important for children to learn to entertain themselves—to create games, to read, to draw, or to just daydream. Getting comfortable with the concept of silence or a bit of down time is an important lesson to learn.
7. Organized sports are great, but they do not count as play time or outdoor time. I know, some will take issue with this, and that’s OK. But truth is, sports are adult-directed, goal-oriented, and task-specific. While kids are getting fresh air and exercise, they are not getting the benefit of exploring their surroundings, free play, or connecting with the natural world.
8. Every child benefits from planting something and watching it grow. Whether it is helping tend the family garden, pots in a windowsill, a container garden, or a plot in a community or school garden. Dirt = good.
9. Adulthood comes all too soon. Don’t rush childhood. If your child’s schedule looks too hectic, rest assured it is. If you spend more time interacting with them in the car as you shuttle from activity to activity than in your backyard or favorite park, then it’s time to take a step back. Simplify, for both your sakes.
10. What children want more than anything is our time. It is more precious than any video game system, MP3 player, or expensive toy. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, mentor, aunt, or neighbor—making the time to interact with kids is priceless. Connect. Play. LIVE.
See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru
RT @EPSchleichert RT @balmeras: New post from The Grass Stain Guru: 10 Perspectives on Restoring Childhood. http://grassstainguru.com/?p=43
great read – 10 Perspectives On Restoring Childhood http://tinyurl.com/dkz4rw
RT @campingblogger great read – 10 Perspectives On Restoring Childhood http://tinyurl.com/dkz4rw. [I rarely retweet, but this is great!]
RT @kentnewsome: RT @campingblogger great read – 10 Perspectives On Restoring Childhood http://tinyurl.com/dkz4rw.
RT @BuzzEdition RT @kentnewsome: RT @campingblogger great read – 10 Perspectives On Restoring Childhood http://tinyurl.com/dkz4rw.
Hear hear! I heartily agree with all the tenets of your manifesto, Bethe. I treasure my mostly-unscheduled, gloriously dirty, self-directed and never-ever-boring childhood (guess that makes me a grownup, huh?) and am very heartened by all the recent interest in restoring these rights and rites for today’s kids – and tomorrow’s. Looking forward to further posts from the Grass Stain Guru!
I love, love, love this list! Been preaching #7 for years. Need someone to occasionally preach some of the others to me, so thank you!
Thanks, gals! Loving how excited folks are to talk about childhood and to see the actions folks are taking to restore it.
Cheers- Bethe
Love it! Couldn’t have said it better. I regularly watch my son and a friend, both 4+ year-olds, and my first action when the friend arrives is shooing them out the door to some place where they can cruise around on their own agenda. Its amazing how much better that goes.
Great list! Words to live by!
Such true points! Especially #9 and #10. Adulthood and responsibilities come so soon. Let kids enjoy being kids. Don’t force them to grow up too soon. And spend time with them. You’ll definitely regret it later if you don’t. My sisters grew up so fast. I can’t even call my 10 year-old sister a child anymore. She’s so “grown up.” Enjoy it with them!
Site looks lovely.
And this post is so true.
Keep up the good work!
I was just thinking today that spring is coming soon and my sisters and I used to have so much fun making mud pies, cakes and cookies! Then I was thinking about the mess my Mom had to deal with… then I remembered how much fun we used to have…
Great list! Great blog!
RT @TwilightEarth: Great article from @balmeras 10 Perspectives On Restoring Childhood http://poprl.com/QX9
I love these ideas about restoring childhood – from the brilliant @balmeras – http://twurl.nl/hmvkl4
It’s so easy for parents to feel they need to control the childhood experience, while sometimes it’s best to simply provide a dose of sound guidance and let the rest take care of itself. Children do the most amazing things when they feel they have the power to decide for themselves.
A spot on comment! Thanks for sharing! Cheers- Bethe
@balmeras Kids deserve better than TV for 6 hours a day – 10 Perspectives on Restoring Childhood – http://grassstainguru.com/?p=43
@balmeras Couldn’t agree more, from a “kid” who still has grass stained knees http://grassstainguru.com/?p=43
[...] discussed screen-time here on several occasions, and it is without a doubt one of the chief barriers to unstructured play and outdoor time in the [...]
@icount4myearth Couldn’t agree more! Big part of why I started my site! http://bit.ly/80I5a 10 Perspectives on Restoring Childhood