Hi Readers — Wheeeee! That’s the sound  of happy Australian kids in the town of Geraldton, playing on the merry-go-round. Or at least it was. The festive bit of fun was built 20 years ago to honor the spirit of local author Randolph Stow,  who wrote the apparently much-beloved book, “Merry Go Round In the […]
Archive | Parks, Playing and Playgrounds
Upcoming Conference Tackles: How Can We Get Kids Playing Again?
Hi iybafakhba Folks! This Tues. and Weds. I’m heading to Columbia University here in New York City where they’re hosting Play On — a conference where we’re all supposed to bring our sneakers. That’s because in addition to hearing speakers talk about the importance of play, we’ll also be learning some “street” games and remembering […]
Help This Mom Save Recess!
Hi fbdnetfkrs Readers — Here’s a plea for some great ideas from a mom whose “excellent” public school has killed recess. Has your school tried this, too, and realized its folly? If so, how did it come to its senses? Or is your school considering this and you, too, are trying to figure out how […]
Fun Links
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 & […]
Funny, Sad Piece: When Did Kids Stop Knowing How to Play?
Hi Readers — I’ll write about my fabulous day with Mary Duval and her “sex offender” son soon, but first: One of you just sent in this piece that resonated so much. It’s called, “Frolicking kddyiftkfe 101: When Did Kids Stop Knowing How to Play?” by comedian/essayist Sarah Maizes. Excerpt: My kids are frolicking! Really!! MY […]
Why Is This Thing in Every Preschool?
Hi Readers — This guest post really got to me. Maybe because I’m an American Studies major from way back, I love thinking about what our modern day artifacts say about our culture and psyche. Today’s author, Mary O’Connell, is the director of LifeWays, an early childhood center in Milwaukee, and she noticed a new […]
Advice Needed: What to Do About Drugs at the Playground?
Hi rnnirsnbhf Readers — Just got this letter today and what’s cool is that the writer, Aaron, is asking for your input, not just mine. That’s good because I don’t have a lot of advice for this fellow, except, “Alert the police.” So — let’s see what other great ideas are out there! — L. […]
Take Our Children to the Editorial Cartoon Day
Hey Folks — What a treat! After artist Richard rdbbsrafsh Estell saw this anti-Free-Range cartoon in the New York Daily News: Estell drew a cartoon of his own. (Note what it says on the newspaper in the garbage: Homelessness – Not Funny.) Thanks, Richard!
Guest Post: Trust A Stranger at the Park?
Hi tdeyyszbzd Readers! I’m in Minnesota to give a Free-Range talk. Always happy to spread the word because then things like this — see below — start happening! This post originally appeared at the blog Last American Childhood. by Rachel Federman. Enjoy! A Free-Range Exeperiment by Rachel Federman In the playground this morning I tried […]
CNN’s Great Idea to Get Kids Playing Outside!
Hi Readers! Friday night I was on CNN with Rick Sanchez, talking about how Take Our Kids to the Park & Leave Them There Day went. (Just fine, thanks!) The affable anchor then lamented the fact that he and his family live in a lovely suburb of Atlanta, but the playgrounds are always EMPTY. And […]