All that Mankind has done, thought, gained or been — it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of Books.
~ Thomas Carlyle

I’ve shared books from my shelf before. Well, it’s that time again, so pour yourself a “cuppa,”
and curl up with a good book.

There is so much fantastic work going on in the arena of play theory, developmental psychology, and beyond. I would love to hear what you are reading, too.

4 Picks from The Guru…

• Playful Parenting by Dr. Larry Cohen: I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Cohen about a year ago for another website. He is not only a child psychology expert and author, but works with parents, schools, and after school programs around behavior issues and raising confident children. His book has a lot of practical tips and great insights for parents.
• Plants for Play by Robin Moore: If you follow my site, you know I am a long time devotee of Robin Moore’s work. This book offers great information for people planning playspaces, or simply wanting to enhance their yards or community spaces to include plants just made for play.
• Get Out! by Judy Molland: This fun and easy-to-read book offers parents, educators, and other caring adults 150 tips and ideas for kids to get back to nature and to be part of a greener future.
• The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally from David Elkind: Author of The Hurried Child, David Elkind is a can’t-miss writer for parents and anyone interested in child development and education. Elkind’s statement that “Play is being silenced,” is a cry that should resonate with Grass Stain Guru readers.

OK, that should be more than enough to keep you busy.

I wish you all happy reading! Find a comfy lounge chair (or a hammock if it is warm enough where you live!) and enjoy yourselves.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Satin Guru

photo credit: jayneandd

“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”

- Dorothy Parker

Life's adventures, both real and imagined, are well served by a box of crayons.

TGSG Note: Sometimes, we write posts that really stick with us. This in one of those posts. Whenever I speak to parents, boredom is often a topic that comes up, and I am always amazed at the anxiety it produces in people. I wanted to take this opportunity to beat the pro-boredom drum one more time. And, it’s not just me…

“Bored? Don’t blame your job, the traffic or your mindless chores. Battling boredom, researchers say, means finding focus, living in the moment and having something to live for” – Scientific American Mind (2007)

Yep. Sounds about right.

I was recently talking to my friend and fellow-blogger, Michele (@OCPlayparks) about boredom, and what my take on the concept was when it came to kids and childhood. The great quote from Dorothy Parker immediately sprang to mind. You see, I am a BIG fan of boredom. I invite it into my world. Roll around with it and ask it to dance. If I were a politician, I would run on the pro-boredom ticket.

Boredom, it seems, has become a 4-letter word in many households with children. Apparently, boredom in children is a fate that many fear more than a bad FICA score or bathing suit season. To remedy this fact, many kids are plugged-in and given activities to do every second of the day. No stone is left unturned in the quest to keep kids entertained and to stop them from uttering the words that strike fear into the hearts of many: “I’m bored!”

To which I say, um,  SERIOUSLY?! Boredom is one of the greatest gifts of childhood — without a doubt. Out of  “boredom” springs creativity and great bouts of imagination. Countless adventures of the mind start with a simple spark necessitated by boredom. If we do not allow kids to arrive at this state, how will they ever learn to entertain themselves, stretch their imaginations, and call on their own inner-reserves to create play and self-directed learning.? If we merely fill their reserves with television, videos, or structured activities, how will they ever realize that they have everything they need right at their disposal? No batteries required. No directions needed.

A box of crayons. A garden or backyard. A park or playground. A pile of sofa cushions or a journal and drawing pencils. Books and blocks. Simple tools and nearby places — all of which stir the imagination if given half the chance. Children will blossom if we step back and let them be — give them the time and space they need to rely on themselves and their beautiful, natural-born creativity, ingenuity, and imagination.

Kids will create worlds within worlds, fly rocket ships to the moon, build forts with traps doors and hidden passage ways. They will surprise us and even themselves with the fun they can create when they are bored. If we stop acting like Cruise Directors determined to fill every moment of their schedules, kids will create fun and play and magic with their friends, siblings, and even on their own. Sometimes, they will even invite us into their worlds and games and let us pay witness to the glorious things they cook-up. When this happens, just dive in and enjoy.

Like anything else, it just takes a little practice. If you swoop in with an activity or “solution” to their boredom every time, of course it is going to be difficult for them to work through things on their own. But they will. The whining will stop and the creativity will flow. Just have a little patience…

Creativity, self-reliance, self-direction, problem-solving — all of these skills are the hallmarks of a successful adult. They are also all things that children can learn through play and finding their way out of boredom. Let’s face it — coping with boredom is a life skill that everyone should have, so why not foster it now?

The theater of the mind is a powerful thing — I would hate to see what my life would be like if I wasn’t able to tap into that.  How about you? So, next time you are tempted to play Cruise Director, stop yourself. Take a step back, and let boredom blossom into whatever comes next.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have a box of 64 crayons that is just begging to take me on an adventure. It would be rude of me to refuse.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: timlewisnm

Recently, I sat down with Danielle Marshall from KaBOOM! to discuss nature play, one of my favorite subjects.

I hope you enjoy it, and share it widely. The more parents, educators, and communities we get on board, the better.

Remember — childhood was meant to be messy! Muddy. Slimy. DIRTY!

Let’s get those kids outside! And while we’re at it — the adults, too. Nature is for all of us. Go ahead, you know you want to…

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

TGSG Note: The audio gets a bit wonky on this after the first question, so I hope you will just pop on your headphones and crank it up a bit.