... and Blog Action Day is today!

All these wonderful causes and so little time!

Yesterday we celebrated Women in Science and today we peer into the diverse subject of Human Rights. While there are many ways to approach this topic, I would like to address one that is near and dear to my heart.

A human right that most folks don't think about much, unless you delve into the insights of the site http://www.childrenandnature.org , is allowing children their inalienable right to be children- playing in puddles, making forts, riding bikes and other unstructured play. For a variety of reasons, most kids just don't get to do the kinds of things that were taken for granted by earlier generations. Sure, you say, the world is a different place these days. We know more about things that can hurt us, security is always an issue and all those organized sports are building character, right? Well, perhaps, but free play is an important part of building character too- as well as problem solving skills, social skills, understanding consequences, and heck, feeling good about yourself and the world around you.

I won't try to summarize the wealth of information at the Children and Nature site. I urge you to take a moment to check it out. It has activities, videos, case studies, blogs... even research papers about getting kids outdoors and the benefit of exercising this human right. Now it's time for me to leave the electronics inside and let the kid in me enjoy some time outdoors :o)

P.S. I'm also going to make another plug for our Fall Open House on Saturday, October 26, 9am-1pm. Another great way to get the kids outdoors....