Kaboom! - The Grass Stain Guru | The Grass Stain Guru

Nature Play: Why Sticks & Stones Rock!

April 19, 2010

Awhile back, I was interviewed by the great folks at KaBOOM! about nature play.

Since we are nearing the end of Children & Nature Awareness Month, I think it is the perfect time to remind all we adult types why nature play is so important — for all of us.

Please give the interview a listen. I talk about the many benefits of nature play, as well as tips and concrete ideas — and spend time dispelling some of the myths that are pervasive in today’s fear-based parenting.

I would love to hear about your play memories from childhood, and discuss any questions or concerns you have about outdoor play in today’s society.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

By Bethe | Posted in nature, parenting | Tagged advocacy, Childhood, children, creativity, education, family, health, Kaboom!, nature, parent, play, society, wildlife | Comments (19)

Podcast: Getting Dirty With Nature Play!

October 21, 2009

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.

By Bethe | Posted in nature | Tagged child development, Grass Stain, health benefits, Kaboom!, kids, nature play, outdoors, parents | Comments (59)

Play Deprivation Gets Traction

July 26, 2009

Recently, the Huffington Post ran a story from Darrell Hammond, CEO of KaBOOM!, on the state of play in America. I encourage you all to read the piece and leave comments. The more voices we add to the chorus calling for change, the better. The first step to advocacy is finding your voice.

From the article…

“Go outside and play,” was once a very common phrase used in America, but those days have gone. In today’s society, children spend 50% less time outside than they did just 20 years ago. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids are spending 6.5 hours a day with electronic media — making the sofa or desk chair their favorite place “to play.”

Read the rest of the article here.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: Hey Paul