“Rivers and rocks and trees have always been talking to us, but we’ve forgotten how to listen.”
~ Michael Roads
BEFORE environmental education or “going green,” comes nature play. Don’t put the cart before the horse. Let children know the wonder of the natural world first and delight in their discoveries. Let them play, climb, dig and enjoy their kids’-eye view before you step in to teach or preach.
As always, let kids be kids. They deserve it.
See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
We are all so on the same wave length this week after the Twitter #ecenature conversation!
http://bit.ly/aHO4Q
Playing saves the world! It’s official!
I am so going to do the leaves on a blanket – a perfect time of year to get out in the woods, catching leaves.
Perfect as ever TGSG
I wrote about this on my blog a few weeks back – I called it the Fear of Nature – and basically it asked the question – if our kids never go outside why would they have any interest in saving nature? So glad I am not on my own in thinking this.
Thanks for sharing that – Sometimes it takes awhile. We have little project going on at our house that I just posted about. It stared out with my son cutting down some small trees (and not being very respectful of nature!) But I hope we’ve turned it into a positive by using them to build a fort. ttp://nyackbackyard.blogspot.com/2009/10/building-fort-from-branches-and-sticks.html
I couldn’t agree more! To care about the Earth we have to first connect with it. Becoming acquainted with nature and having a sense of place are what kids need before we tell them to recycle. Otherwise being green is some kind of moral or intellectual exercise which has no meaning.
Great video!
Great comments, all. Thanks! After 10 years in the conservation ed biz, I have seen too many instances of cart before the horse thinking and burdening kids with issues before they are given the chance to know and love the Earth. It’s sad and unnecessary.
Play on- Bethe
Children will care for what they love. Get them to love the earth through Nature play RT @balmeras: http://bit.ly/3nXSss #playoutdoors #ece
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
@balmeras This article http://bit.ly/PnQ3z will be in weekly roundup on Saturday! Great video!!!
It is obvious when older kids have MISSED this type of experience–and cover their fear with cynicism and disgust for/with the natural world. Fortunately it doesn’t take too long to connect them after they experience the wonder of exploding puffball mushrooms, shooting stars, and a good, old-fashioned mud hike…but only if we can get them out!
Wonderful photos–beautiful day–the kids’ curiosity/enjoyment/engagement was palpable. We’re going to scoop up some leaves after school today!
Thank you for continuing the #ecenature conversation, Bethe!
Young children make sense of their world through play. So grab a small hand and head outdoors. Today is the perfect day and now is the perfect time for some nature play!
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
Children will care for what they love. Get them to love the earth through Nature play RT @balmeras: http://bit.ly/3nXSss #playoutdoors #ece
For the night shift: @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
@balmeras This article http://bit.ly/PnQ3z will be in weekly roundup on Saturday! Great video!!!
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
For the night shift: @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3nXSss (video) Nature Play: Part 1 #playoutdoors #ece #parent
Couldn’t agree more! Thanks for the reminder!
Excellent post by @balmeras as always! Nature Play: Part One http://bit.ly/Ue9t7
Lovely! Being out in nature definitely engenders a love and respect for the earth. It helps children feel their connection to it and their place in it.
Excellent post by @balmeras as always! Nature Play: Part One http://bit.ly/Ue9t7