Why our Children need to get Muddy and Play in the Woods Sally Holloway Coordinator of Education Programs Whatcom Community College Focus on Children Conference February 5, 2010

View the documentary: “Where do the children play?” Inspired by Elizabeth Goodenough’s book – Secret Spaces of Childhood

The Nature of Play Turn to a couple of people next to you to discuss What is the value of “un-regimented” outdoor play? Do you believe we need a “Leave no child inside” campaign? On the big paper list one idea you have that you might try in your program

Being in the wild….. Makes one more civil Where would your children say food comes from? How do we help children understand the sacredness of life? Write on the big paper one idea you are going to try in your program.

Disconnecting from real life What is an “intimate” relationship with nature? How is this different from an “abstract” relationship? Is 4-6 hours / day screen time too much for our children? Write one thing you are going to try in your program.

Nurturing, urban neighborhoods What is “Deep Play”? In the research study, does the difference between the suburban and the urban children neighborhood structures surprise you? Write down one idea you will try in your program.

What’s bugging parents? How can we get children out of “Protective House Arrest?” Choose one of these quotes to discuss: “Many of us live virtual lives” “Only in nature do all of our sense work all at the same time” “Children come to teach us what we need to learn” “People do not know how rich they are”

Suggested resources: Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv Young Investigators: The Project Approach in the Early Years by Judy Harris Helm and Lilian Katz Active Experiences for Active Children: Science by Carol Seefeldt and Alice Galper Science Stories: A Science Methods Book for Elementary School Teachers by Janice Koch

Resources cont’d More Than Magnets by Sally Moomaw and Brenda Hieronymus Spotlight On Young Children and Science NAEYC, 2003 Science Experiences For the Early Childhood Years by Jean Harlan and Mary Rivkin Exploring Science in Early Childhood: A Developmental Approach by Karen Lind Exploring Science and Mathematics in a Child’s World by Genevieve Davis and J. David Keller

Activity Suggestions Policies and Procedures Provide running space, Point out areas kids are not to disturb Provide a garden area, Plant veggies and fruits (5) Have kids bring in all-weather shoes (or boots) and coats so outdoor exploring can take place year-round (2) Provide an open-ended playground (climbing ropes)

On-Site Activities Water activities Use boxes to make a train station, post office, a miniature city Raise chickens/eggs Bring the outdoors inside, especially when the weather is unfavorable, (5) Observe natural surroundings day-to-day Create with outdoor materials Do a program on animals Encourage kids to help out and do things independently Look at nature through a magnifying glass

Cont’d Paint rocks Do a program on the life cycle of plants or animals (2) Get involved with nature using all 5 senses (2) Show real-life photos of nature and animals Talk about the sacredness of life (3) Reduced or no screen time in class (3) Observing and talking about worms and bugs Create a mystery box Take care of a classroom pet or plants Spend time outdoors, Provide free time outdoors, Read outdoors (5)

Off-Site Activities Field trips to gardens and Farmer’s Market to show where our food comes from (2) Beach combing: Taking toddlers to the beach for clam digging Nature field trips (3) A study on farming, Visit a farm (4) Go on a nature walk; Collect sticks, rocks, wood, flowers (3) Planting trees