A three year old child is a being who gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it does out of finding a small green worm. ~Bill Vaughan
If you’ve never spent any time in a botanical garden, I urge you to back away from the computer right this moment and go do so. No really, I am not kidding. If you have been to a botanical garden before, I am sure you will join me in urging your fellow readers to unplug and go experience the wonder to be found on the grandest and most colorful of scales in such a garden.
I had the pleasure to attend a symposium — Restoring Nature to Early Childhood — at the amazing Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, Virginia for the past day and a half. Made possible through a grant from The Robins Foundation and support from The Center for Life Sciences Education at Virginia Commonwealth University, the event brought together classroom teachers, non-formal educators, daycare providers, and others interested in early childhood education.
Speakers C. Donahue, A. Donahue, A. Price & R. Moore (Not pictured, J. Kirkland)
Surrounded by dedicated garden staff and speakers from a variety of areas and disciplines, we gathered to not only recognize the need for kids to spend more time outdoors, but to explore this wonderland and share ideas and inspiration. Having been in the business of connecting people with nature for many years, the speakers and their work were very familiar to me. Jane Kirkland, Robin Moore, Akiima Price, and Chip and Ashleigh Donahue shared stories, case studies, research, and their enthusiasm with the crowd. (I have to admit this — I have followed Robin Moore’s work for many years — um, since my tragic-haired college days in urban planning and park design courses, actually. Seeing him is always a treat for me!)
What struck me most about the time together was what went on between the sessions. Teachers sharing ideas and frustrations. Little groups wondering around, taking pictures, laughing, and really taking the time to enjoy what Mother Nature had to offer. I even spotted another woman, who like me, had taken her shoes off on a stunning spring evening and was walking through the soft grass, stealing a few moments alone to recharge and gather her thoughts. It made me smile.
Kids at play in the garden.
Touring the children’s garden was the highlight for many — such an amazing, playful and thoughtfully designed space. (I defy you to go to a children’s garden and not feel giddy.) Garden educators led activities, and folks were given time to just explore and engage their own awe. I spent time chatting with preschool teachers, one that I had met at a conference in Nebraska last year. At another table, I spent time with a group of Kindergarten teachers. We chatted about how much joy and learning we see when kids are engaged in real play outdoors. There were lots of nodding heads and knowing smiles in that group.
I saw so many people engage their kids at heart during the last two days, and for me, that is the best indicator that this movement to connect children with nature has the chance at great success. Yes, we need research, legislation, and dedicated advocates, but we also need that joy and passion for what it is we are really fighting to restore. If we can keep that ever-present, then we are half-way there in my book.
I left the event knowing that while we indeed have a long way to go, that I have no doubt that we will get there. When given the chance to bloom, every kid and kid at heart will do so. Just step outdoors or into a garden. You’re bound to see it happen if you take a moment to look.
Like this needs words?!
See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru
RT @BodyWisdomInc RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru: Garden of Eden-For Kids of All Sizes http://bit.ly/pL84O #playoutdoors
RT @NNUS: RT @BodyWisdomInc RT @balmeras: NEW @ The Grass Stain Guru: Garden of Eden-For Kids of All Sizes http://bit.ly/pL84O #playoutdoors
Bethe, it was so wonderful to finally meet you! I love your impressions of the No Child Left Inside symposium, and I’m so happy you saw the magic that happens here at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden every day.
My kids, my best friend and her family, and many more Richmond families stayed at the Garden until dusk last night making fairy houses. It was truly magical. The Children’s Garden was filled with passionate little kids and their parents creating, imagining and loving nature in its simplest form. No one wanted to go home — it was such a special night. In fact, my family forgot to eat the picnic I’d packed, because they were just having too much fun to stop!
Come visit us again soon!
RT @balmeras Check out the amazing @lewisginter The Grass Stain Guru: Garden of Eden-For Kids of All Sizes http://bit.ly/pL84O #playoutdoors
@balmeras Thank you for the RT! Loved your latest post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/pL84O the children’s garden looks so adorable!
RT @BodyWisdomInc RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru: Garden of Eden-For Kids of All Sizes http://bit.ly/pL84O #playoutdoors
RT @NNUS: RT @BodyWisdomInc RT @balmeras: NEW @ The Grass Stain Guru: Garden of Eden-For Kids of All Sizes http://bit.ly/pL84O #playoutdoors
And to think, Bethe, you get to call a day like this “work!” If we all stopped and smelled the flowers from time to time we might have a very different world.
RT @balmeras Check out the amazing @lewisginter The Grass Stain Guru: Garden of Eden-For Kids of All Sizes http://bit.ly/pL84O #playoutdoors
@balmeras Thank you for the RT! Loved your latest post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/pL84O the children’s garden looks so adorable!
Oh, how I wish you could have tucked me into your suitcase! Thanks for sharing your hope and belief that we are making steps towards connecting young children and their grownups with the natural world. Those little smiles just say it all!
http://tinyurl.com/dn22vw
Garden of Eden — For Kids of All Sizes
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: Garden of Eden — For Kids of All Sizes http://bit.ly/pL84O #playoutdoors #twitter4vg
http://tinyurl.com/dn22vw
Garden of Eden — For Kids of All Sizes
Garden of Eden — For Kids of All Sizes | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/u5aPC
http://tinyurl.com/dn22vw
Garden of Eden — For Kids of All Sizes
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: Garden of Eden — For Kids of All Sizes http://bit.ly/pL84O #playoutdoors #twitter4vg
http://tinyurl.com/dn22vw
Garden of Eden — For Kids of All Sizes
Garden of Eden — For Kids of All Sizes | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/u5aPC
RT@ balmeras Botanical Gardens for all of us! “Garden of Eden-For Kids of All Sizes” – http://bit.ly/pL84O
For when the sun returns, RT @lewisginter Awesome blog post on… the wonderful Children’s Garden at Lewis Ginter! http://bit.ly/k0LI1
RT@ balmeras Botanical Gardens for all of us! “Garden of Eden-For Kids of All Sizes” – http://bit.ly/pL84O
For when the sun returns, RT @lewisginter Awesome blog post on… the wonderful Children’s Garden at Lewis Ginter! http://bit.ly/k0LI1