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Looking for unique kid's gifts that are engaging? Want kids to share your love of travel, outdoor adventures, physical activity, and connection with nature? Have you met Rover? This fun-loving (and kinda silly) hound encourages kids age 0-8 to be curious, creative, and connected as they get around in everyday life, on special trips, and in their imagination. Save 25% PLUS get free shipping. If you're on my email list, you've received notice of this. If you haven't—and want to— click here to subscribe.
This is an article I wrote for the local publication My Healthy Beginning. I'm posting it below, but you can also read it online (and enter to win a free i get around journal+scrapbook) here.
Play for Keeps by Deb Miner
Are there memories from childhood that stand out in your mind? What are they? Experiences—especially the unplanned and unstructured kind—are what I remember. Things I read, places I went, what happened, who was there, how I felt.
We all know how important early learning is for kids and there are certainly plenty of “educational toys” out there to help. But I’m especially interested in the kind of learning that happens spontaneously through open-ended play.
I love the natural curiosity and creativity kids have and it’s so fun to encourage little ones to discover and develop these abilities. It's so valuable for kids to become aware of their world through senses and feelings and also to begin to recognize their own actions and choices. Exploring self-expression and sharing experiences is key too. Much of this comes naturally when we’re young, but without encouragement and reinforcement, it can get lost in all the efforts to learn in more specific ways.
As a child, I spent a lot of time drawing, noticing, and imagining. My brother and I explored the woods and creatures in our backyard, boated on the Mississippi, and rode in the backseat on lots of roadtrips. We didn’t lack for toys (and I have the movies of Christmas mornings to prove it)! But my favorite toys often weren’t toys—they were things we discovered that had lots of possibilities.
Boxes became a restaurant stove, or a sled. Weird, slippery fabric remnants became curtains for a stage. Paper, crayons, and pens became cards, stories, signs, sculptures. I also loved books for the visuals AND the words AND the ideas! I still have a lot of the picture books my parents read to my brother and me. When I was older and reading on my own, I remember how great it was to go to the library and discover books myself. One of my favorites was My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. I loved the descriptions of Sam’s experiences and the creative ways that he lived in the woods.
Our experiences—and responses to them—help define who we are and how we interact with our world, our community. Who and what we connect with. Why, where, and how we make connections and develop awareness. This is the kind of learning that comes from opportunities to explore. From “not knowing.” (And sometimes, parents: “not showing.”) Safety is important, of course, but sometimes being too safe, too controlled, too correct can be dangerous as well. Opportunities to be curious, to explore, to discover are both fun and important.
Getting outdoors is more important than ever, too. According to the Children and Nature Network, nature can enhance a child’s emotional and social development. If young children have regular opportunities for unstructured play, then they are likely to have a greater chance of getting along with others and being happier, healthier, and smarter, report researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Teens also can benefit: A survey of participants in wilderness programs found that their interactions with nature resulted in enhanced self-esteem, independence, and initiative.
Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, there are opportunities to explore, connect, and discover. Use your senses to look, listen, smell, taste, touch. Take time to notice your emotions. And experience all that's around you and your child.
0 Comments on Play for keeps as of 11/4/2009 2:01:00 AM
Jodi Hiland, who runs Happy Trails (the cool local hiking program for families). Congratulations, Jodi! Jodi named 9 of the 10 activities in Caroline's journal. (No one guessed all 10!) Here are the answers: swimming, skiing, riding her bike, roller skating, hide and go seek, museum, --------, soccer, coffee-something (go to the coffee shop for special drinks), swimming. So what's the missing activity? Gymnastics! Caroline (and her sisters) are fabulous gymnasts, and her illustration was of the balance beam.
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Look at these cool pages from 6 year old Caroline's i get around journal+scrapbook! First person to identify all 10 of her activities in a comment wins a free journal :-)
I’ve listened to various reactions about President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and I appreciate his response of being undeserving. But personally, I LIKE that it’s not about accomplishment. In our culture, accomplishments trump just about everything. But there’s a level that intention is very valuable on, because it’s a huge shift in attitude from the way conflict has been handled throughout history. It’s a move from a win-lose mentality to a win-win mentality that is rarely seen on this global level. This is the kind of peace that I’m interested in. Isn’t it time we see ourselves as more than “Americans”, and see ourselves as world citizens? And instead of being the kind of family that punishes dissent, learn to be a family where we seek to understand each other? We can still disagree, but what if we approach conflict with a desire to understand, rather than conquer? It’s certainly not easy, and there are no guarantees. It’s more vulnerable and more scary to do things this way. And as with any risk that has potential to succeed, there’s also potential to fail. I would much rather take the chance, than continue the legacy of “what’s always been done”. It takes commitment and courage to have this kind of intention, because resistance to change is part of the process too. Worthwhile, significant change usually happens incrementally, with a few steps forward, and a few steps back. But to have the intention to move in a new direction is so worthwhile, and so needed–I don’t have a problem with rewarding it. It would be even better if we ALL chose this intention, and the Nobel Peace Prize could go to everyone on earth.
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Earlier this summer, I was asked to create posters to help educate kids about food and eating in three categories, for a variety of age groups. I thought you might enjoy seeing them.
Did you know there's a dedicated Life is Good® shop in Stillwater MN? The owners, Jen and Pete, are great--stop in and see them at Jake's on St Croix! (They carry I Get Around® items too.) Life is Good independent shops exist in lots of places, in addition to the items being carried by stores like REI. Wouldn't I Get Around be a good fit for all of them? Feel free to suggest this when you visit these spots--to find the Life is Good stores near you click here--thanks!
Last week I met with Katie Holley, who has created a fun line of yoga wear (for adults and kids) called Swami Baby —check it out. As Katie says "Children can teach us as adults how to live in the present, take time to enjoy life, be aware of our surroundings, and be more direct."
I am fascinated by the connections between emotions, self-expression/creativity, and spirit. So I love what this passage--from Kids Play, by Michele Cassou--has to say. (I also believe, thankfully, that this can apply to adults too.)
"When children allow feelings to surface, they enter a healing process. Their feelings actually move from inside to outside. What is most difficult about painful feelings is that they contract and harden when we try to protect ourselves from them. When creation happens, the defenses that keep control over the feelings let down and feelings spontaneously express themselves, bringing release and integration, and feelings find room to be. The pain is felt, but with a space around it, because the contraction around it vanishes and the pain can finish its cycle.
Quite often, gentle feelings follow self-expression and children volunteer a few words about what they just experienced or remembered. They sense their place in the world again; they feel they belong."
A few months ago, I heard about a local woman, Jodi Hiland, who had started a hiking club for kids and their adults. Jodi is creating something so valuable. And I love what she wrote in her email newsletter today:
It's so interesting how this economy thing has shaken up the way our culture does everything. I sometimes wonder how we'll look back on these past several decades. Years from now, we'll probably be sitting around with our children's children, telling the story: "Many years ago, people went away from nature, and we forgot who we really were. There came a great collective sadness, and we also forgot that we were connected to each other.
"We began to look to other things to make us happy, and our world became sick. Suddenly, it was too much, and a cosmic re-set button was pushed. We were forced to let go of those things we thought made us whole, and had to re-learn how to be with ourselves, our neighbors, and the Earth. Now, because we embraced this balance, we are truly free."
Check out Happy Trails Family Nature Club at www.happytrailsclub.net (and be sure to sign up for the newsletter)!
UPDATE: Unfortunately, Lookybook is no more. But you can still page through the book by clicking here.
Exciting news—i get around is now on a cool site called Lookybook, where you can actually page through a wide selection of children's picture books (try it out above—just click on a page to turn). The idea for this site comes from graphic designer and illustrator Craig Frazier, who recognized that there are a whole lot of great children's books out there that people never get a chance to look through—unless they are among the few that get a prime spot in a bookstore (or are books people are already aware of and looking for). Lookybook allows you to look through as many picture books as you want, create and share your own library and comments, view those of others, purchase books, and more. (Lookybook was also chosen by TIME magazine as one of the 50 best websites of 2008). Take a look!
The Canadian Press reports that "a British Columbia environmental group is flabbergasted that the publisher of the Oxford Junior Dictionary has sent words like 'beaver' and 'dandelion' the way of the dodo bird. In the latest version of its dictionary for schoolchildren, Oxford University Press has cut nature terms such as heron, magpie, otter, acorn, clover, ivy, sycamore, willow and blackberry.
In their place, the university publishing house has substituted more modern terms, like the electronic Blackberry, blog, MP3 player, voicemail and broadband." I'm flabbergasted too. All the more reason for an emphasis on getting kids back outside and connected with nature. For more of this article and others, visit the Children and Nature Network.
Occasionally, I volunteer at our local Crisis Nursery. On a recent visit, I read i get around to the kids. They helped complete each rhyme, then we did some art, and later we acted out each activity in the board book--they really connected and had fun with it! I love connecting with these kids.
Back in October, I went on a Renewing the Creative Spirit retreat led by my friend, Doug Beasley. It was significant for me in many ways, at a time when I really needed it. My younger brother (and only sibling) had passed away from cancer in September at 47. And I was about to turn 50 myself. I love Doug's approach and way of seeing (and you can see his beautiful photography as well as learn about his Vision Quest workshops that are offered in many appealing locations here). The photo above is one photo of many I took, and represents something I value doing and inviting—to look closer and see deeper. The other is a photo of my little brother and me from long ago.
A couple of years ago, I took a trip to Ecuador, and had lots of wonderful experiences (and adventures!) there. This little girl is an example of the spirit of the place, people, and the vast beauty of nature. And she really knows how to get around outside! These photos were taken near the Black Sheep Inn, an eco-lodge high in the Central Andes, off the beaten path. The whole area was spectacular, with lots of opportunities for hiking. A few days later, we traveled to the village of Banos (at the base of Tungurahua volcano), and after a day of biking, we returned to find that the volcano was erupting. In the middle of the night, I awoke to the sound of lava rock falling on the roof of our little hotel. Our village was evacuated, and sadly, three villages on the other side of the volcano were destroyed.
I'm really excited that there's a growing movement of people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature! I love i love dirt by Jennifer Ward. And I'm currently reading Richard Louv's Last Child in the Woods—it's a wonderful, comprehensive look at the importance of outdoor play and nature in kids' lives. The websitechildrenandnature.org, which provides access to the latest news and research in the field, continues to build on this movement. (A desire to encourage connection with nature, outdoor exploration, and basic physical activity—in a lighthearted way—is a big reason I felt compelled to create i get around.)
I'm still new to this world of blogging, so I've been looking around for some info to help me better understand and work within the blogosphere (impressive lingo, eh?). So I thought I'd pass along a couple of resources in case you're learning too. One helpful site to learn about blogging in general is Blogging Basics 101, "Where there are no stupid questions!" (Thank you Chilihead/Melanie and Shannon.) And, being a visual person, I was still having a tough time comprehending RSS feeds, so this YouTube video (also posted on BB 101) was really helpful. Check it out:
Looking for a fun outing for you and your little one in the Twin Cities? Mom Culture offers moms and dads a variety of parent-oriented daytime arts + entertainment events that are intended to be shared with children. East Coast native Lenore Moritz has long believed that creativity – regardless of whether actively doing or actively observing – leads to greater balance and productivity in life. Agreed! So check out the music events she has planned for fall at momcultureonline.com
I love open-ended play for kids—it brings out their unique creative abilities, and it's so valuable for them to tap into that. The i get around board book, journal, stickers and suitcase are designed to allow kids to use them in lots of ways. But I know it helps to have some ideas to get things rolling! So here are some fun ways to use stickers. (Click on any image to enlarge.) • rover and action words: Have your little one place stickers to match the corresponding images and words in the board book. (The stickers aren't permanent, so they can be moved around or removed altogether.) Or, place a rover activity sticker anywhere you like and ask your child to find the matching word (or vise versa). • object and alphabet: Take these stickers along on an outing and see how many of the objects you see. Create a story, add the alphabet letter the object begins with, or practice writing the name of each object. (Note: correct spelling is not important here—self-expression is!) • feelings+senses: Explore emotions and sensory experiences at home or away to help encourage awareness. Ask your child to choose a sticker that represents how they feel (or felt) and tell you about it. Or ask how they think someone else is feeling. Use the senses stickers to encourage noticing tastes, smells, sights, sounds, and things they touch—ask them to draw or write about the experiences. • special places: If you go to the park, remind kids to add that sticker to their journal and tell about the experience in words and pictures. Or they can stick them on the play+go case like old fashioned travel stickers to say "look where I've been!"
On Friday Aug 8, we got around to a very cool store in Minneapolis called kiddywampus to do an event called "i get around in my imagination". The event filled up fast—Amy at kiddywampus posted it on her blog and 15 kids + parents were signed up in less than one day. We sat down for a reading of i get around and then... ...headed over to the art tables to create stories about what we like to do. Fun! Thanks for coming, everyone! You can see from these photos what a creative space kiddywampus is (the store includes a beautiful retail space, art classrooms, and their mission is to donate profits to organizations that help kids).
One year old Luke has lots of books, but he chooses i get around more than any other. (Not surprisingly, Florida dad Russell T has the rhymes memorized.) I'm thrilled to have their endorsement!
In May, i get around was pleased to donate gift sets to a silent auction supporting Camp Get-A-Well-A. Camp Get-A-Well-A provides a realistic camp experience for children in hospitals. They create a safe, fun diversion for kids and families who are dealing with difficult health issues by providing activities that invoke play, provide stress relief, create memories and engage children in a sense of community.
When reading i get around to your little one, after you read the upside down "how about you?", let them turn to any page at random for you to read next. The activities can occur in any order, and it's fun for kids to participate in choosing where to go. (And if this goes on too long, you can always head for the bedtime transition at the end!)
Several years ago, my brother Dave built a village. Literally. He constructed a 1930s-era village on his land. He laid railroad track (driving spikes himself), restored some locomotives and rail cars, built several buildings (including a depot, general store, and filling station), and called it Minerville. This was a hobby that he opened to the public on weekends. And before that, he created his business--manufacturing calliopes, popcorn wagons, and other items from long ago. (This newspaper article tells more of his story.) Now Dave has been given a challenging cancer prognosis, and will be selling much of what he has created and collected at auction in June. I am continually impressed and inspired by my brother's ability to envision what he wants to do AND to do it. He's a very talented, can-do, DIY kind of guy. Yet I know he could use some extra spiritual support these days. Please remember Dave and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
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