It’s amazing the power a simple Public Service Announcement (PSA) can have. This one really knocked my socks off, so I wanted to take the opportunity to share it with TGSG readers.

We talk here so often about modeling appropriate behavior — letting the kids in your world see the capacity for joy, the appreciation for nature, playfulness, and unplugging and making time for real-life connections. These too, provoke powerful images.

Regardless of the label you wear – parent, teacher, neighbor, or aunt — you have the opportunity every day to be the best version of you and share that with the children in your world, and with each other.

Whether we like to think of ourselves as role models or not, we are all role models for someone. One a given day, it might be the person in line behind you at the store, who sees you treat a clerk with courtesy and kindness. Or your son, who sees you treat women with respect or sees the peace and happiness you find fishing at a favorite spot.

What do you have to pass on — to model? What act of joy and kindness can you share with the world today? And tomorrow?

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

“Finally, a good excuse to goof off … Brown builds a compelling case for the importance of recreation to success and creativity — and insists that grown-ups need it too.” – Discover Magazine

I couldn’t have said it better myself! If you are not familiar with the work of Dr. Stuart Brown, then you will find the video interesting. If you are familiar with Dr. Brown, you will really enjoy it. There is something so powerful about hearing someone that you have read and followed in articles actually give a speech. (OK, and granted, I am an education geek! I tend to get very excited about learning. Do forgive.)

Brown is the founder of the National Institute of Play (in the Links section of TGSG), and is a leader in the scientific research of play. His training in general/internal medicine, clinical research, and psychiatry are a powerful combination. He started the Institute after retiring from clinical practice, and has studied a variety of human and animal populations that have shaped his work. (CSI fans might be interested in the fact that he has taken the play histories of murders, finding a lack of play in childhood to be a common factor.)

Watch TED Video: Dr. Stuart Brown on Why Play is Vital at Any Age

Dr. Brown just released a new book, aptly titled, play. (Yes, with a lower case p!) A review of that to come on TGSG later. In the meantime, when you have time, watch the video and perhaps take a closer look at the way that the children in your world play, as well as yourself. Don’t take the fun out of it, of course, just allow a fresh perspective to sneak in from time to time.

Now, it’s time to unplug and go play! Come join me.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru