Share, Learn, Listen, Lead

February 2010 Blog Posts (26)

Mom's Gifts of Nature

Today would have been my mom, Bunnie's, 77th birthday. She died four years ago after a long illness. We were close but our relationship was not without rocky patches. Since I began working for Children & Nature Network a couple of months ago, I can say without hesitation that my appreciation for her has grown. There hasn't been a day…

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Added by Suz Lipman on February 28, 2010 at 1:48pm — 5 Comments

A Sense of Wonder

Here you go, Suz. Thanks for the encouragement.

Oririnally posted at " thenatureschool.wordpress.com

I think we live in a jaded world. Perhaps this makes me a jaded person. Perhaps this is not news to people who are reading this blog. Perhaps you are the sort of person who lives in a state of wonder and you think I am smoking my socks. If you are in the latter group, share your ideas of wonder in the comments. If you are in the first group, read on because I share some… Continue

Added by beth chase on February 25, 2010 at 6:00pm — 1 Comment

Photo of the Week - "Above Rock"

Check out "Above Rock" by Lucas Farmer http://www.visualizeaplace.com

Added by Catherine Adams on February 24, 2010 at 12:07am — No Comments

Lead by example to your kids

You don’t want your kid to undergo from early tooth decay, right? Much more have a bridge, or an implant crown in their teeth prematurely. So, as a parent it’s best to encourage your children to brush regularly. But take my advice, don’t force them. I learned it the hard way. Instead of my kid following my rules and advice, he lost interest in following at all.…

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Added by Beth Akers on February 23, 2010 at 7:30pm — 5 Comments

Find a natural space in your area!

Hi everyone!

Here is part of my most recent post from my blog Let's Connect With Nature!

It's a little longer post with links and pictures...the entire post can be found here.

Hope you enjoy! As always, comments are welcome and… Continue

Added by Chris Hettwer on February 23, 2010 at 6:00pm — No Comments

Our Grand Adventures in the School Garden

http://bit.ly/cPa46R

Added by Debi Huang on February 23, 2010 at 4:02pm — 1 Comment

New British Study about Nature Disconnect

A new study from Great Britain that appeared on the Children & Nature web site bodes poorly for children and their outdoor lives. According to researchers at Hertfordshire University, while most children are open to outdoor play, their parents are not, and a lack…

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Added by Suz Lipman on February 23, 2010 at 4:00pm — 5 Comments

Mix History Into Your Outdoor Adventures

While I actively support getting families outside just for the fun of it and to be in Nature, I am also an avid proponent of exploring with our eyes open for ALL the many stories that are there for the listening that tell the history of the rocks, rivers, and of course the biological communities including our fellow humans past and present. I believe in treating everything as a story: geology; ecology; natural history; human history; climate; and musical and folklore traditions.… Continue

Added by Mr. Hayden W. Mathews on February 23, 2010 at 11:30am — No Comments

How my 7-year-old taught me to ride a bike... metaphorically.

Our 7 year old has a way of, let's say, amping things up. Each event has to be a bit more dangerous than others. In fact, he is the reason that the City of Salem Parks and Recreation cut all the lower branches out of the trees at Longwood Park. He is a skateboarder and a tree climber. He is, indeed, an outdoor artist.

On one particular day, again at the same park, Parker decided to take his bike for a ride around the paved area - yes, the one that now says "No bikes." This was his…

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Added by Chip Donahue on February 22, 2010 at 6:44pm — 6 Comments

Shopping vs. Outdoor time

Just returned from Juneau, AK. I was down there (2 hour flight from Anchorage) with my son's school. They are trying to pass a bill naming the Malamute as the official state dog. The kids did a great job! Hopefully it will go to vote this session.

On our second day, we had a couple of free hours. The kids were given a choice of going to a playground or shopping downtown. I'm pleased to report that 9 out of 12 chose the park! Better yet, they tired of the playground after…

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Added by Jennifer Aist on February 21, 2010 at 10:45pm — 1 Comment

Outdoor Playgroups

From post http://www.activekidsclub.com/feature/outdoor-playgroups.html

Together we will move mountains

By Kari Svenneby

A lot of the time it is hard to know how to start things. Like changing a habit or how we can get more outdoor time. Finding an outdoor program…

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Added by Kari on February 18, 2010 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

Trees please! Ten activities that will foster an appreciation for trees in your child.

Hi everyone!

I'm re-posting this from my blog called Let's Connect With Nature !

Hope you enjoy! As always, comments are welcome and appreciated!

Chris…

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Added by Chris Hettwer on February 18, 2010 at 9:51am — No Comments

Photo of the Week - "The Great Snowball"

if you give a kid a camera....Photo of the Week. "The Great Snowball" Check out AJ's best snowball ever! http://www.visualizeaplace.com

Added by Catherine Adams on February 18, 2010 at 8:16am — 2 Comments

Winter is long, spring is coming along - with inspiration...

Cold, snow too deep to trudge with little companions.

Homework and dinner, stories and bedtime.

The time comes and goes. I find myself wishing for those moments when I could pick up my kids after work and drive off to a local park for some time together. Our green hour, or half or so. Now, there's nothing but white and cold and early sunsets.

But last night, as I was watching Richard Louv's presentation for the Blank Foundation, I felt the warming rays of…

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Added by Chip Donahue on February 17, 2010 at 10:43pm — 1 Comment

The Best Spots in Los Angeles for Winter Outdoor Fun

A roundup of my favorite spots in L.A. to explore nature with my kids.

http://bit.ly/bhv2jq

Added by Debi Huang on February 17, 2010 at 4:33pm — 2 Comments

Why are our children spending less time in nature?

Hi everyone!

I'm re-posting this from my blog called Let's Connect With Nature!

Hope you enjoy! As always, comments are welcome and appreciated!

Chris…

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Added by Chris Hettwer on February 15, 2010 at 6:02pm — No Comments

New links for nature activity books for teachers and parents!

Just posted a bunch of…

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Added by Jennifer Aist on February 14, 2010 at 6:25pm — 4 Comments

Join the Great Backyard Bird Count

I am very excited about the Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology's upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count. It takes place Friday-Monday, February 12-15, all over North America. Anyone… Continue

Added by Suz Lipman on February 10, 2010 at 9:00am — No Comments

if you give a kid a camera...photo of the week

Check out Emily's "Morning Snow" and her advice on reducing global warming http://www.visualizeaplace.com

Added by Catherine Adams on February 8, 2010 at 9:46pm — 2 Comments

Making a Discovery Backpack

Whether it's for camping, hiking, a day at the park, or some fun in the backyard...one of my sons favorite things to do is gather up his nature discovery backpack and head outside. This is such a great way to get kids up-close with nature, and allow them (in safe ways) to come up with how they want to explore it.

The contents of his discovery backpack vary depending on where we're going or what he's in the mood to do that day. But basically it contains some of the components… Continue

Added by Chris Hettwer on February 8, 2010 at 11:53am — 2 Comments