Dear beloved readers and friends:

Thanks for spending this play-filled year with me. For every tree you climbed, fort you built, trail you hiked. For everything that required crayons, glue and glitter. For every Mystery Critter case you cracked. For every belly laugh and gasp of awe-struck wonder you uttered. For every minute of playful spirit you modeled for those around you, I thank you. Gold stars and grass stains to you all! 

Here’s a little fun I’ve cooked up for you this holiday season. xoxo Bethe

On the 12th day of Christmas TGSG gave to me:

12 perfect snowflakes
11 stones a skipping 

10 stars a twinkling

9 children giggling
8 frogs a croaking
7 kites a flying
6 rainbows gleaming
5 forts to build
4 scampering squirrels
3 trees to climb
2 box turtles

And a grass stain on each knee!

No matter what you believe, or don’t, the holiday season is truly special.

May yours be filled with much love and laughter, and warmest wishes for a happy, healthy 2012!

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

<— Little GSG with her trusty stick. (In case you are wondering, I finally grew into that chin.)

 photo credit: seelensturm

“Childhood is the fiery furnace in which we are melted down to essentials and that essential shaped for good.”

~ Katherine Anne Porter

As a speaker and writer, and I hope, a thought-leader on childhood issues, I spend a lot of time speaking to parents, educators and other grown-ups. People who work with kids, have kids, care about kids.

But today I want to speak to the kids. Because they deserve to be part of this conversation too. As we advocate for a healthy, happy childhood let’s keep those we are advocating for in the loop.  Hopefully, some of their grown-ups listen in.

10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids:

1. That the media stops scaring the crap out of your parents 24-7, so that they think the only place you are safe is tucked away in the house.

2. That the decision-makers get down to business with true education reform so that you have the opportunity to learn to LOVE to learn, and not just learn (um, maybe) what will be on a test.

3. That we “grown-ups” stop being so lawsuit happy, so that liability is not the first thing on the minds of educators, parks and recreation professionals, community associations, and other parents. I hope with all my might that you are actually allowed to play, take risks and have fun in this life.

4. That you realize that you have choices, and the right to make mistakes — and the world will not stop spinning when you do. I promise, even when it feels that way.

5. That your parents set a limit on screen time. I know, you don’t want to hear this, but trust me on this one – it’s a must. The view on life when you lift your eyes from the screen is amazing.

6. That you learn to LOVE to read. Even if they do make a movie about it, you can bet the book is better. Learn to get lost in a story and try your hand at writing your own.

7. That you spend every moment you can outside. Check out the woods, the beach, the mountains, and everything else in between. Let nature awe you.

8. That you learn to be fearless, bold, and let your freak flag wave. I don’t mean live dangerously — but I do mean have the guts and gumption to really live and don’t be afraid to be yourself.

9. That you don’t get everything you want, that things don’t always come easily to you, that sometimes you fall flat on your face, and that you figure out (um, eventually) that these are all good things. (And that your parents LET you fail sometimes.)

10. That you get the freedom to breathe and the space to explore the world and figure out who you are in it.

So, that’s it. I have a lot of hopes and wishes for you guys, but what I want most of all is for you to grow up knowing how to appreciate life as the rich and fascinating ride that it is, and to know how to dust yourselves off and pick yourselves up when things get tough, because they will.

Oh that, and to really know how to laugh – deep, from the belly, bone-stirring laughter. It’s one of the greatest skills you can ever learn.

Enjoy the ride and great good luck, kiddos. I will be rooting for you.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: Dottie Mae

Howdy my favorite nature detectives! Can you believe we are up to our 77th Mystery Critter together?! Thanks to you all for playing along with me!

So, let’s get down to business, y’all. Put on those thinking caps and remember — no cheating! 

CRITTER CLUES:

• I am the largest of  my kind in North America
• My colors include red, bronze, green and gold
• I was on the verge of extinction in the 1930s
• You will likely hear me before you see you
• We number approximately 7 million today!

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.

Fall is the perfect time to explore the natural world. Ablaze with color and a nip in the air, Mother Nature is at her finest.

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

 photo credit: treehouse1977

TGSG Note: I reminded you last year, and I promise to do it again in 2012. It’s that important.

The stark realization has hit: It’s almost the middle of August. And the incredible summer days and nights we dream of most of the year are quickly passing us by.

GASP. I know.

Even if you LOVE fall, you can’t wish summer away. It takes so long to get here!

So consider this a little Public Service Announcement from your friendly neighborhood Grass Stain Guru…

GO OUTSIDE & PLAY.

Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. No more excuses.

Get out there and…

1. Catch fireflies
2. Run through the sprinkler or have a wet sponge fight
3. Roast the perfect marshmallow or challenge yourself to come up with a gourmet s’more recipe
4. Head to a nearby fishing hole.  Take a child who has never had the opportunity and watch their eyes light up.
5. Try geocaching
6. Have a watermelon seed spitting contest
7. Camp. Backyard, tree house or nearby county or state park — it doesn’t matter as long as you sleep outside
8. Eat a popsicle under a shade tree and play The Cloud Game
9. Find a nearby trail and hike when the sun is not too high — early in the morning or at dusk
10. _________________ (Use your imagination and share in the comments section! What’s your #10?)

When September comes and the kids head back to school and the summer light starts to fade, you will have such fond memories of time spent in the pursuit of play — and making the most of this gorgeous planet that we call home.

Trust me — this fact will make you happy. The end.

Don’t miss out. Mother Nature has something great waiting for you…

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: anieto2k

TGSG Note: It’s not often that I have celebrities stop by The Guru, so I am beyond tickled that Cheecker took time out of his busy schedule to sit down and chat with me. As you can imagine, a spokes-squirrel has a lot on his plate.

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I am a huge fan of Cheecker and the work that he does getting children and families outdoors. So enjoy the interview, then listen to the smartest squirrel I know — unplug and go play outdoors! Bethe

1. Why do you think it is so important for children to connect with nature and explore the forests?

I live my whole life outside and I’m a better squirrel because of it.  I love climbing trees, running through the brush and playing with my forest friends, and it is really important for children to do the same thing because it gives them a greater appreciation for the environment.  Not to mention that it’s healthier for them! Studies show that kids who have more time to explore nature are generally healthier, more imaginative, less stressed and more respectful of themselves and others.

2. Speaking of children, what was your childhood like, Cheecker?

Funny you should ask, Bethe.  I have so many great memories of running through the forest with my brothers and sisters as a young squirrel.  Things weren’t so much different back then.  We still climb trees, hang out in our houses in the trees (we call them nests), gather nuts (acorns are my FAVORITE) and run around together.

In fact, I guess you could say that my childhood wasn’t too much different from a human childhood!  I see children running around, climbing rocks and exploring nature with their families in my forest all the time.

3. What tips do you have for parents to help get their kids unplugged and out into the forest?

Today, there are more cool video games and electronic gadgets for kids to play with than ever before, so it’s no wonder kids spend less time outside.  The best way for parents to get their kids unplugged is to show them early on how much fun the forest can be.

You don’t have to wait for your batteries to run out to go on a real-life adventure!  There are all sorts of awesome and exciting things to explore in the forest, and if parents can show that to their kids when they’re young, children will have a greater desire to discover nature as they grow.

Here are just a few activities parents can do with their kids to get them outside:

1. Find a local creek or body of water to let out your fishing line, observe some marine life, or even go for a swim. Water provides a range of activities that will lure your kids away from their electronics and promote activity as a family.
2. Read about plants native to your region and try to identify 10 different species on your hike. This is an excellent way to engage your kids and foster a family conversation about nature!
3. Camping: This classic outdoor activity proves to be even more exciting when you leave the tent at home. Treat your family to the stars when nighttime falls!
4. If your family is less experienced in the outdoors, pack a picnic and just relax in a meadow or field. Sometimes relaxing outside is the best way to unwind together.
5. For those weekend wilderness warriors, this is a great occasion to learn how to do something new and create shared memories with your kids! Find a guide to teach you how to fly fish, repel or even rock climb.

I love following animal tracks.  If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a pretty friendly squirrel.  I love hanging out with all my forest neighbors, so I follow tracks to find my friends.  What I love most is finding a track I’ve never seen before.  It usually means I have a new neighbor!

By now, I know how to identify almost any track – bears, birds, humans – you name it, I’ve seen it.  I’m probably the best animal tracker in my forest, but I’ve seen some humans that know tracks almost as well as I do – that’s impressive.  There are some kids and their families who visit the forest who have animal tracking down to a science.  They even have books to help them identify what they see out in nature.  It is really neat!

Need more inspiration to unplug and get outdoors? Check out the great PSA from Cheecker and his friends at Discovertheforest.org.

Want to learn more about Eastern Gray Squirrels? Check out eNature to learn more –  and see what other wildlife you can spot near you!

Me & Cheecker will see ya outside!

~ The Grass Stain Guru

Guest Bio: Cheecker is the official spokes-squirrel of the U.S. Forest Service.  He is usually found in the forest playing and searching for nibbles and wants to teach everyone how to get outdoors and discover the forest. He shares his knowledge with his loyal Twitter followers at @Cheecker and can also be found on Facebook.

Hello, my favorite nature detectives!

Well, today is National Get Outdoors Day, so you have extra inspiration to get outside and see what wild wonders you can find.  So put on your thinking caps and let’s get to it! And remember — no cheating.

CRITTER CLUES:

• I make my home in slow moving lakes and rivers
• I have been called gregarious, yet shy (what a combo!)
  
• I have cousins you may be familiar with
• I dine on insects, crayfish and clams
  

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. Take the time to appreciate it, and all that it brings to your life.

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

photo credit: marlin harms

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!

photo credit: Gdpaule

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

photo credit: TheNickster

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Cheers to all the mothers, grandmothers, and care-takers out there! To all the women who touch our lives across a lifetime…

Thank you for every skinned-knee you clean, bad dream you hush away, cookie you bake, and broken heart you soothe.

For every costume you make, story you read, school play you sit through and drawing you hang on the fridge…

May your day be filled with blue skies, rainbow-colored flowers, heart-felt hugs, and more laughter than you know what to do with.

I give you the gift of a giggle or two, and perhaps — just perhaps — a knowing smile.

Messy Room by Shel Silverstein

Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.

His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.

His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater’s been thrown on the floor.

His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV,
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.

His books are all jammed in the closet,
His vest has been left in the hall.

A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.

Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or–

Huh? You say it’s mine? Oh, dear,
I knew it looked familiar!

Go be queens of your day!

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: fotografgruppen.se