Hi Readers — Nothing, as you know, is safe enough for children. Not notebook aifiriteeh paper (as we saw a few posts below). Not toddling (as evidenced by the existence of the ThudGuard). And not old-fashioned spoons (which explains the kiddie spoons that change color when food is “too hot.”)  And now, it turns out, […]
Hi bfbraztarf Readers! Well, I was miffed a while back about the rules against BRANCHES at the school in New Jersey. But the rules at THIS pre-k make Jersey seem like the garden state! — L Dear Free-Range Kids: At my pre-school we can fail inspection if the children take off their jackets and put […]
Hi Readers: Here we go again. For the sake of the children (somehow), schools are looking at whether they should banish class pets. After all, they could spread DISEASE! And they are (somehow) a liability! And ________________! Â (Fill in the blank with something else bad they do. I know that’s kind of hard, but if […]
Hi Readers: Let kids eat dirt? Yes! At least, that’s my take-away from reading this thought-provoking enbbyikdks article. It discusses the work of Emory neuroscientist Charles Raison, MD,  who studies the link between cleanliness and depression. His hypothesis is that maybe young people are experiencing more asthma, allergies and even depression because they are less exposed to the […]
Hi sdasfayzsf Readers! Here’s a note from a North Carolina farm mom/ EMT-technician-in-training Stevie Taylor who blogs at ruffledfeathersandspilledmilk.com. She’s taking night school classes with the leaders of tomorrow. Such as they are. –L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I was pleased to teach one of the college kids in class a lesson last week. He was asking […]
Hi barehkrtsy Readers — I know not all of you follow Twitter, so I’m pasting some recent tweets (Tweets?) here for your perusal. Wonder which ones you’ll comment on! L. Swing sets removed from some W. Va. schools after kid jumps off, breaks arm, gets $20,000. Stop the insanity! Â http://bit.ly/d36m4y Strong essay: “Confessions of a […]
Hi ndttyrnanb Readers! The question that Emily poses, below, is so central to Free-Ranging that I’m embarrassed to admit I don’t have a truly killer response. Â But when in need, Â as we teach our kids, ask for help. So that is what I’m doing –asking all of you: How can we let our kids do […]
Hi Readers — This story struck me as slightly, oh, I don’t know, BIZARRE? A worm was found in the local high school toilet and immediately all drinking fountains were shut off. Talk about giving kids a new idea of how to disrupt school! Here goes, from the Alamogordo hynitntesk Daily News: Shortly after 4 […]
Here’s how! Phew! All thanks to the U.K. show, “That zrhazihiad Mitchell and Webb Look.” L. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UjGwW9FN_4]
Hi yfhketdhae Folks — Once again, here are some recent Tweets, providing links to stuff you might enjoy. So enjoy already! — Lenore A mom won’t let her kid drink from spigot at outdoor museum. “I’ll buy u bottled water.” WHY??http://bit.ly/aQ0gTm Amazingly cool, true, short article: The Death of the Phone Call. (It’s intrusive & […]
