Green Options » outside play http://greenoptions.com/tag/outside-play Posts tagged 'outside play' Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:51:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Entertaining Kids: Part II http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/09/entertaining-kids-part-ii/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/09/entertaining-kids-part-ii/#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:51:56 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/09/entertaining-kids-part-ii/ In part I we talked about rock painting and water play.  For a fun afternoon of baking bread, visit my recipe at Eat.Drink.Better and get those kids cooking!

In our world (meaning the small space our family occupies, not the greater World as it is), we believe everyday is an outside day unless weather is at a dangerous extreme or the rain is coming down in buckets.  However, here in Oregon, we do still have plenty of “Rain Days” which keep us inside for part of the day.  Nearly every day finds us outside exploring, riding bikes, climbing trees, digging, and nature walking.

I’ve already mentioned that we enjoy collecting things on our walks… twigs, moss, leaves, pebbles, bark chips, pine cones, hazelnuts, whatever is laying about.  We don’t ever take something off a living tree or plant because that could cause harm.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/09/entertaining-kids-part-ii/feed/ The Joys of Parenting http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/05/26/the-joys-of-parenting/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/05/26/the-joys-of-parenting/#comments Wed, 27 May 2009 04:09:17 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/05/26/the-joys-of-parenting/ It’s come to my attention of late that many of us focus on the difficulties in parenting.  We are quick to gripe about our children’s behavior, habits, friends, language, school, clutter and seldom make mention of their beautiful smiles and outrageous thirst for life.

So, I’ve decided to become grateful.  Every day I will find some reason I am grateful… it may be directly related to my children or not.  No matter what there will be a connection because I am THEIR MOM, no matter what.  That is my first job… my first priority.

Tonight I reflect back on our day.  I see the smiles on their faces when they come rushing in the front door at the end of the school day.  Normally I would focus on the noise and mayhem that follows suit… today I just see those happy faces, so eager to rush in and tell me all about their days.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/05/26/the-joys-of-parenting/feed/ Last Chance For No Child Left Inside http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/09/10/last-chance-for-no-child-left-inside/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/09/10/last-chance-for-no-child-left-inside/#comments Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:39:42 +0000 mcmilker http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/09/10/last-chance-for-no-child-left-inside/

As The US House of Representatives votes on No Child Left Inside this week, this is your last chance to let your legislator know you want MORE funding for training teachers in outdoor education, MORE funding to expand environmental education programs and MORE programs to ensure that US graduates are environmentally literate.

You can write your representative directly and/or find out how she our he stands at the No Child Left Inside home page. With school budgets cut and the increased emphasis on teaching to the test, not much needed recess, this effort is needed now more than ever.

Jennifer Lance wrote about this effort back in May, but it bears repeating especially as the bill comes up for vote.

While Congress waits to vote, there’s an effort afoot to pass around this video to bring awareness to the issue, by adding this video to your blog. You can get the link on Youtube here.

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Related Posts:

Can You Imagine Your Kids Going to School 4 Days a Week?

No Child Left Inside Video

Uniting Schools at Green California Schools Summit


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