Years ago I attended a NAEYC workshop on Technology and Young Children.  In one of the workshops the facilitator shared a story that really disturbed me.  It was just a quick anecdote, really, but it has stayed with me, and, as I think about it, is actually the inspiration behind the creation of Shayna's Village.

Here is the story:

It was the first day of school and a kindergarten teacher put play dough out at one of the centers in her classroom.  At center time, a little boy sat down at the play dough table, poked the play dough with his little finger, and stared at the brightly colored ball of clay.  He poked at it a few more times, before he looked up at his teacher and asked, "What's it do?"

Yep... even years later... that story is still disturbing. 

We need to be careful.  Our children are becoming programmed to sit passively, engaging one or two senses at most, while televisions, video games, computers, iPods, (fill in the electronic toy of choice) do all the work.  If you think about it, this starts at birth with electronic crib toys and even occurs in the car!  I wonder if children look out car windows anymore.  Do they imagine pictures in the clouds, predict the path of a raindrop as it trickles down the window or simply chill out and watch the breeze blow the leaves in the trees?

Author and nature-lover Richard Louv shares an equally disturbing anecdote in his book Last Child in the Woods.  While researching how children feel about playing in nature, Louv remembers this comment from a fourth grade boy who said, "I like to play indoors better, 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are."

Nature fosters curiosity and creativity.  Natural elements such as water and wind promote relaxation.  Social skills are acquired naturally during unstructured play.  Unstructured outside play has taken a back seat to being "plugged in" inside.  Gone are the days of playing outside "until the street lights come on" like so many of us did when we were young.  And who can find the time anyway, since children tend to have such busy, organized schedules that include sports practice, music lessons, and FCAT tutoring? 

The latest research is showing that we HAVE to find a compromise.  The health of our children depends on it.  It is a fact that childhood obesity, depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorders are on the rise.  The ability to think creatively and problem solve is being threatened.  One easy way to combat these issues is not by medicating children, but by providing unstructured outdoor experiences that calm, soothe, and inspire.  During unstructured outdoor time, children stay active while their natural curiosity promotes concentration AND a connection to the earth! 

Researchers have confirmed that interacting with nature provides the following benefits: enhanced concentration and fewer cases of attention deficit disorders, fewer incidents of anxiety and depression, improved self-esteem, enhanced brain development, higher levels of curiosity and creativity, and a sense of connectedness to the community and the environment.

We Floridians are about to enter the most comfortable months of the year, weather-wise.  Let's spend some of our time outside... having picnics, playing catch, going on nature walks... maybe I'll even see you at DeLeon Springs!  (I'll be the one in the paddleboat, desperately trying to paddle away all the pancakes I ate!)   

Sincerely,

Hello!  My name is Bridget Hawley and I am a volunteer in Shayna's Village.   Each month I would like to introduce you to someone who is teaching or working closely with us in Shayna's Village.  This month, I am so excited to share with you a little about Julie Kaplan.  Julie is an amazing individual who you may have met at one of our community outreach programs.  She will be our guest speaker next month at our "You're Not Alone" series!  Here is Julie's story in her words!!!

At our Sukkot outreach event in October, the children were captivated by Julie's songs and stories .