The powerful documentary, The Weight of the Nation, has the country and even the world talking — and rightfully so.

That said, so often people’s response to childhood obesity in particular focus on nutrition and exercise. And not that those things aren’t important, but they are not enough, and they leave out play, which should be the cornerstone of childhood.

Now, you all know how I feel about unstructured play and time outdoors. I’ve been writing about it since day one of this blog, and promoting it for twenty years. Today I want to let you tune in to a powerful, passionate, and respected voice in the play and education movements — Joan Almon.

Click on the link to listen to an interview with Joan Almon about the benefits of outdoor play in the fight against obesity and beyond. Joan is one of the co-founders and the Executive Director for the Alliance for Childhood. She is champion of play, and longtime childhood advocate, and a personal friend and hero of mine.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the interview and how you see the role of outdoor play not only  in the fight against childhood obesity, but in raising happy, healthy children.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

It’s ba-ack! That’s right folks, your old friend the Mystery Critter is back and ready to stump you.

So put on your thinking caps and let’s see if you can crack the case. And remember — no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I am considered to be quite beautiful
• Sadly, I am on the Endangered Species List
• I feed solely on one plant
• I am found in approximately six (6) US states, including Indiana
• You may not see me where you live, but you can see plenty of my cousins

What am I?

Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance soon!

Favor:  Don’t share the answers in the comments below or out there in the social mediasphere — we want to keep the game fun for all.

Now, you probably won’t get a chance to see this Mystery Critter this weekend, but rest assured, there is plenty to be seen. Just step outside with open eyes and a quest for adventure. Grab the kids, and see what you can find.

And let folks know about it! Join the Wildobs community, and report your wildlife observations.

Fun Fact: Today (May 19th) is National Kids to Parks Day! I hope you will all celebrate with the ones you love.

Until next time, my nature detectives! Don’t forget to #playoutdoors.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

I have been a proponent of nature play in and out of school time for twenty years.

But you all know this. I write about the benefits of nature, unstructured play, and reasonable risk for optimal child development all the time. In fact, it’s what The Grass Stain Guru blog is all about.

I stumbled on this lovely and powerful video that explores nature play in three schools in Scotland. It bares mentioning that the narrator states how the UK is far behind European schools embracing nature play. And let it said, the USA is far behind the UK in embracing nature play and reasonable risk for children.

Well, it’s time to play catch up!

Please watch this video for inspiration and ideas to bring nature to your school or center grounds.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Spring has sprung a bit early here in the US, which makes it even more of a treat to head outdoors this weekend. Mother Nature has started her annual show of buds and blooms and shades of greens that feed our souls.

So my favorite nature detectives, let’s get to it. Let’s play Mystery Critter!

Put on those thinking caps, and remember, no peeking!

TGSG Note: Please don’t post your brilliant guess in the comments or on Twitter. We don’t want to ruin the surprise for the other detectives. Make sure to check the link to see if you got it right!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I am quite common throughout North America
• Unlike many species, both males and females pitch-in with “child care”
• I munch on everything from rabbits to lizards (yum!)
• Open fields are my habitat
• You’ve probably seen me when you are out for a drive

So, what am I?! 

Make your guess then go here 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.

Exploring the natural world with children is a special treat. Get lost in the wonder and awe that only Mother Nature can provide.

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

“Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them.”

~ The Audubon Nature Preschool

What time is it? Well, it’s play time, of course — time to play Mystery Critter! Time to put your wildlife knowledge and sleuth skills to the test, and encourage everyone to get outside and explore nature.

So, let’s get to it! Put on those thinking caps and remember, no cheating.

TGSG Note: Oh — and please don’t post your brilliant guess in the comments or on Twitter. We don’t want to ruin the surprise for the other detectives. Make sure to check the link to see if you got it right!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I am part of a very large family;
• You might call me a scavenger but I prefer to think of it as recycling;
• I am nocturnal; and
• In some parts of the world I am eaten, while in others I am used as a type of prize fighter.

What am I? Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and  more interesting facts.

Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance soon!

If you have never seen this Mystery Critter before, but I am sure you have seen a critter from its family. Wildlife comes in all shapes and sizes, so don’t forget to look from dirt level to skyline in your quest to become a true nature detective.

And don’t forget to let everyone know what you see! Join the Wildobs community and report your wildlife observations. It’s a great way to keep track of your wild adventures and share info with others.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: USFWS Mountain Prairie

Love this! Anja Geelen sent this to me from NZ. She took a quote from my blog and attached the sign to her family's tent.

I was at the airport the other day on my way back from The Conference on the Value of Play, which made what happened all the more poignant.

A little girl no older than seven was telling her grandmother about all the activities she was involved in. She rattled them off like an executive rattles off meetings and conference calls: judo, dance, soccer, gymnastics and church activities.

Plus, she said as she rolled her beautiful green eyes, “I always have homework.“

Her mother looked on with pride. Her grandmother looked apprehensive at best.

The Grass Stain Guru bit her tongue.

How, I wondered? How can this poor little girl keep up with all of that? She must be exhausted.

Why, I wondered? Why would her parents schedule this poor little thing within an inch of her life? And themselves? Somebody has to drive her to all of these activities.

When, I wondered? When does this bright-eyed little girl have time to be a kid?

Where, I wondered? Where did we go wrong as a society, sending the message that this is what childhood is supposed to be like? That this is what parenting is supposed to be like, a veritable Cruise Director?

At the airport that day I eavesdropped on society, and I didn’t like what I heard. At all.  I’m not sure why I was so surprised at what I heard. I’ve heard it ALL before, time and time again. I’ve written about it before…spoken about it.

But coming off that conference being surround by others who are play advocates and scholars, the reality of today’s children’s reality hit me like a ton of bricks. And I didn’t like it one bit.

Simply put, what passes for childhood today is simply not good enough. It’s not good for the children, the parents/families, the teachers, and society as a whole.

I found this video the other day. This, my friends — this is what childhood should look like.

So folks, where do we go from here? Let me know your thoughts.

And now if you will excuse me, there is a tree I need to go climb.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru 

Video credit: Right Where You Are Now from Craigmore Creations on Vimeo.

Look, squirrel-sized binoculars!

Oh how I love a bit of mystery!

Thinking cap. Check. Child-like curiosity. Check. Desire to stump my readers. CHECK! Come on kids, let’s play Mystery Critter!

OK, my nature detectives — let’s hop to it! Good luck. And no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES

• I am tall
• I am shaggy
• I am surprisingly quick on my feet
• My pregnancy lasts as long as a humans
• I have a long history on the American landscape

What am I? Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance soon!

Now, you probably won’t get a chance to see one of these this weekend, but rest assured, there is plenty to be seen. Just step outside with open eyes and a quest for adventure. Grab the kids, and see what you can find.

And let folks know about it! Join the Wildobs community, and report your wildlife observations.

Until next time, my nature detectives! Don’t forget to #playoutdoors.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: steffy.

Thinking cap. Check. Child-like curiosity. Check. Desire to stump my readers. CHECK! Come on, kids. Let’s play Mystery Critter!

OK, my nature detectives — let’s hop to it! Good luck. And no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I am primarily nocturnal;
• I am brown;
• I can be found in most of Canada and the US;
• I breed once a year; and
• My predators include the Gray Wolf and Bobcats.

So, what am I? 

Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance next week!

Now, you might not get a chance to see one of these in the wild this weekend, but rest assured, there is plenty to be seen. Just step outside with open eyes and a quest for adventure. Grab the kids, and see what you can find. And let folks know about it! Join the Wildobs community, and report your wildlife observations.

And, just because he is the cutest critter I have seen in ages. I had to share this little fellow.

Until next week, my sluething friends!

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: lupinoduck

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Last month, I wrote a different type of New Year’s Resolution post — one that focused on more balance, joy and play rather than deprivation, which is the usual theme. 

What I’ve discovered over the years is that if I don’t check back in on what I wrote down, then the process of writing down goals or resolutions — new year’s or otherwise — doesn’t do a bit of good.

So, let’s have a check in, shall we? How are you doing in your quest for more balance, joy and play?

To refresh your memories, here is the list of items to pursue with abandon in this glorious year, 2012.

What should you Do More of in 2012:

1. Laugh (to the verge if incontinence)
2. Play (like your life depends on it)
3. Dance (whether there is music or not)
4. Hike
5. Skip
6. Hop
7. Jump (for joy)
8. Frolic
9. Make time for your friends
10. Garden
11. Walk barefoot
12. Sing
13. Soak in a bubble bath
14. Stargaze
15. Camp
16. Make s’mores
17. Bike
18. Cook
19. Be kind
20. Travel
21. Try new things
22. Trust yourself
23. Shoot for the stars
24. Be fearless
25. Dust yourself off and begin again

What have you been doing to make sure you put some LIFE into living?! Please share.

I took a break from blogging for a few weeks to regain some balance. It was really important to give myself that time to have some fun and make time for friends and play. Definitely recharged my batteries.

Play on, my dear friends. Your life, as it turns out, depends on it.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: wolleydog

Howdy my favorite nature detectives! I’ve been on a bit of a blogging break, working on some other projects. But I’m back, and ready to get my critter on! Hope you are, too.

Put those noodles to the test with this wildlife mystery.  And remember — no peaking at the answer before you take your guess! 

CRITTER CLUES:

1. OK, I’m stinky, but calling me “foul” is just not nice!
2. I am a fan of slow moving fresh water.
3. Rotting logs play an important role in my life.
4. I have a long, flexible neck.
5. If you don’t see me where you live, you can certainly see one of my cousins.

Make your guess then go here 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.

Exploring the natural world with children is a special treat. Get lost in the wonder and awe that only Mother Nature can provide.

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

 Top photo credit: downing.amanda