Prescription for Play

July 14, 2011

 ”In order to succeed in the real world, you have to be

able to fail.” ~  Dr. Ken Ginsburg

51% Anticipation, 49% Trepidation

For several years now, I have been speaking and writing on just this topic. On Super Kids. On education reform. On the importance of play and time in nature. On the need to fail. On the need for parents to relax and let kids be kids. In fact, it’s why I started this blog — to create a place to talk about restoring childhood and saving ourselves in the process.

I am so excited to share this video with you. How powerful is the need for play and the need for parents to step back and help redefine success in a way that is not measured by test scores and achievements, but by happiness and resiliency? Let’s have a few voices from the medical field chime in.

We are raising a generation at risk and as a society we must change our course. It’s really that simple. Please watch the video below and share it with people you know. If you are a parent, step back and take a critical look at the childhood your kids are having.

The video features Dr. Ken Ginsburg, pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and author of Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings, and Dr. Marilyn Benoit, Chief Clinical Officer at Devereux Behavioral Health and former president of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

I would love to know your thoughts on the video.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Creative Commons License photo credit: Kazz.0

By Bethe | Posted in education, parenting, play | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (70)

Activitypalooza: Nature & Outdoor Play Ideas

June 7, 2011

Shoes. Again.
Recently, I had the opportunity to do a really fun workshop for early childhood educators and caregivers up in Winnipeg, Canada. For me, early childhood is the best place to establish connections with the natural world and help establish preferences for outdoor play and exploration.

Reaching children and families BEFORE the plugging-in of childhood to media and electronic devices is key to help raise a generation of happy, healthy children — and early childhood professionals are  the linchpin for success.

Besides, there is no audience I would rather work with. Early childhood folks have a playful spirit and are so game for anything, including making up dances and cheers about little brown bats, pocket gophers, tree frogs and red squirrels. No, I am not kidding you.

But I digress…

So, I thought I would share one of the outcomes of our workshop here — and let me tell you, we put the work in workshop!  We created a school/program-year calendar of nature and outdoor play ideas and activities.

Click on the link below to download your calendar today. You’ll find a little bit of everything – math, art, movement, science, literacy, and lots of play and exploration. Um, and lots of snow-related activities. It was Canada, after all. :-)

calendar_nature

I hope you enjoy the calendar, and are inspired to take your teaching outside — and bring the outdoors in. I promise, there is no better way to reach and teach all children. Besides, it will “raise your game” as an educator and/or caregiver.

I would love to know what you think. And please share the calendar far and wide. The more kids we get outside, the better!

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

PS: To all my groovy workshop attendees, thanks for all the great ideas! What you’ll find here is a combination of your group work, the activities we did in the workshop and additional activities from me to fill in the blanks, etc. Yay team!

This post is part of the We Play link-up at Childhood 101 and the Let’s Play link-up at Let the Children Play. Viva play!

Creative Commons License photo credit: Gdpaule

 

By Bethe | Posted in Activities, education, nature, play | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (53)

Mystery Critter #67

May 14, 2011

Farl-e
Hello, my beloved nature detectives! It’s time to dust of the Mystery Critter game. I took a bit of a break after finding out that someone was stealing the series and publishing it as their own. But, you can’t keep a playful spirit down, so let’s dive back in!

You’ve worked hard all week, and now it’s time to play hard, and see what Mother Nature has up her sleeve.  Put on your thinking caps and let’s get to it! And remember — no cheating. ;-)

CRITTER CLUES:

  • I dine on insects, snakes and small mammals
  • I make my home in deciduous forests
  • Some might say I am shrill (The nerve!)
  • I can be shy
  • Many of you may have seen me, or one of my cousins

So, what am I?

Make your guess then go to eNature for the answer and more interesting facts.

Did you get it right?

If not, no worries. You will have another chance soon!

Remember, when looking for wildlife, keep your eyes and ears open! Look high and low, and most importantly, enjoy yourself. Nature is not a destination — it’s all around us, and beautiful in so many ways.

What critters can you spot in your neck of the woods? Be sure to tell us!

And don’t forget! Join the Wildobs community and share your wild adventures with the world.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Creative Commons License photo credit: TheNickster

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By Bethe | Posted in Activities, education, nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (5)