Tackling the Weight of the Nation Through Outdoor Play

 

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

photo by: cote

“Pinning” Nature

Let’s call this a mini Public Service Announcement, shall we?

I love Pinterest just as much as the next person. In fact, I can get totally sucked in. (OMG, knitted frog dissection art. Who knew?!)

I especially love all the nature pictures that people share from around the globe.

But it does make me stop an wonder…

How often are all of these “pinners” actually getting out there and exploring and celebrating the natural world? Myself included — I do not get out as much as I would like to.

So let’s make a pledge — from pinner to pinner. Let’s get OUTSIDE more. Day by day and week by week. Come on folks, we can do it!

After all, life is made for living.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Getting Cheeky About Outdoor Play

 

7.5 = number of hours of screen time school aged children experience daily

32 = number of hours of television preschoolers watch weekly

19 = percentage of infants one year and under with televisions in their rooms

25,000 = average number of television commercials a preschooler sees

I’ve tried lots of approaches to talk about this issue. I thought I would try something different this time. And a bit cheeky.

As an advocate for healthy, happy childhoods I will do just about anything to get the message out — and to make people actually listen.

Unplug. Set screen time limits. Get your kids outdoors for unstructured play experiences.

Explore your green community spaces. 

PLEASE. 

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

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