Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
Can today’s children still find this place — the place where the sidewalk ends? Among the loud promises of TV commercials and the buzz and clang of video games, can they hear the quite place where chalk-white arrows go? Do they even know to look? Do they have time to breathe, to relax, to think? To create their own worlds, versus those that are readily supplied for them by adults, marketers, and game developers?
I don’t like the answers these questions are leading me to. How about you?
I look at the whimsical, yet meaningful words of Silverstein and I have no doubt that he was a man who played as a child. Who explored, and laughed, and failed a thousand times and soared to great heights in worlds of his own making.
If creativity and innovation are the future of the workforce and society, how can we expect to meet them successfully if we don’t give children’s minds the room to roam? The power to dream and the freedom to fail?
I’m going outside to think. To dream. To problem-solve. I am so grateful I was given the space — the freedom — to develop these skills as a child. They have served me well.
See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru
The Grass Stain Guru: The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination? http://bit.ly/11av0b @balmeras (<3 Shel Silverstein!)
RT @balmeras The Grass Stain Guru: The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination? http://bit.ly/11av0b
Creativity & innovation can be found where the sidewalk ends. But do we give today’s kids the opportunity 2 discover? http://bit.ly/11av0b
Creativity & innovation can be found where the sidewalk ends. But do we give today’s kids the opportunity 2 discover? http://bit.ly/11av0b
RT @balmeras NEW post from The Grass Stain Guru: The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination? http://bit.ly/11av0b #play #parent
I was waxing poetic today myself. Is there something in the air?
My son is lucky to have a 1st grade teacher who isn’t married to homework. And my daughter goes to a preschool where she’s encouraged to get messy. Plus our family participates in all sorts of outdoor play. Your posts make me ultra-aware of the impacts all of our daily activities have on the future of our children. Thanks for bringing these thoughts to the forefront of my day. Excuse me – but I’ve got to go play now.
Creativity & innovation can be found where the sidewalk ends. But do we give today’s kids the opportunity 2 discover? http://bit.ly/11av0b
Creativity & innovation can be found where the sidewalk ends. But do we give today’s kids the opportunity 2 discover? http://bit.ly/11av0b
For the night shift: Today’s post from The Grass Stain Guru: The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination? http://bit.ly/11av0b #play #parent
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: Today’s post from The Grass Stain Guru: http://bit.ly/11av0b #play #parent
RT @balmeras: …from The Grass Stain Guru: The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination? http://bit.ly/11av0b #play #parent
RT @balmeras NEW post from The Grass Stain Guru: The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination? http://bit.ly/11av0b #play #parent
They can if we nurture it! And it’s great to encourage your kids to play and set guidelines for things like tv and video games…but we can’t forget our own example is probably the most powerful tool we have.
Imagination is deeply connected to creativity and social-emotional health. Children rely on their grown-ups to give them the space and time needed for imagination. Thanks, Bethe, for reminding us to roam and dream–slowly, freely.
For the night shift: Today’s post from The Grass Stain Guru: The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination? http://bit.ly/11av0b #play #parent
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: Today’s post from The Grass Stain Guru: http://bit.ly/11av0b #play #parent
RT @balmeras: …from The Grass Stain Guru: The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination? http://bit.ly/11av0b #play #parent
In case you missed it this week: http://bit.ly/11av0b The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination?
RT @balmeras: In case you missed it this week: http://bit.ly/11av0b The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination?
RT @balmeras: In case you missed it this week: http://bit.ly/11av0b The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination?
RT @balmeras: In case you missed it this week: http://bit.ly/11av0b The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination?
Blog closet: The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination? http://grassstainguru.com/2009/06/04/the-end-of-the-sidewalk-for-imagination/
This post from @balmeras is why I like her blog "The Grass Stain Guru" So much… #momswithkids: http://bit.ly/8GhtKa
The End of the Sidewalk for Imagination? – http://grassstainguru.com/2009/06/04/the-end-of-the-sidewalk-for-imagination/