The brilliant James Madison University religion professor, Alan Levinovitz, sat down for a Q & A with Let Grow. The topics ranged from letting his 6-year-old cut tomatoes with a sharp knife, to the philosophical reasons our culture is both safety-obsessed and judgemental. Finally, he discusses how the great religions allow us to forgive ourselves a lot more than Twitter does — and how to love our children, warts and all. Click here for the interview (written, not audio).
Author: lskenazy
Let Grow just published a really fun, colorful list of classic summer activities not all kids are doing anymore. It’s a lovely poster for your fridge and a great way of reminding us all that summer can be a time of great joy and growth. Click here to see it. We’re also giving away some t-shirts to folks who share stories or pictures of their kids’ summer adventures. Details are at the same place, right here. So kids: Go forth and frolic.
Yes, those Dutch have figured out a lot of things, including how to inculcate bravery, a sense of adventure, and independence in their kids — by “dropping.” That’s the tradition of dropping kids in the woods after dark to find their own way back to camp. Read about it over at Let Grow! Photo from…
That’s what we’re chatting about over at Let Grow. The Brady clip is posted there, too. Love to have you join us by clicking here!
Like the game itself, this question goes back and forth: Is the game of dodgeball creating cruelty in kids that will last a lifetime? We discuss this, over at Let Grow!
Jodi Maurici teaches health ed to 240 suburban seventh graders. This past year they seemed so fragile and frightened — one was too nervous to even walk to the cafeteria alone — she had to try something new. Read her describe the one simple thing she did that changed everything (and everyone).Click here!
Adelia Moore is the author of a new book on parental authority — reminding us all that we are the experts and authorities, whether we feel that wise and powerful or not. Read the wonderful excerpt over at Let Grow where she talks about taking her screaming toddler home from the park. Bonus for anyone in/near New York City: Adelia will be speaking Monday night. July 15, at McNally Jackson Books at 76 N. 4th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn at 7 p.m.
One dad’s story over at Let Grow. The family moved from a smallish city in Florida — and was shocked in a pretty great way.
Looking for a fun, easy first step you might want to try with your budding Free-Range / Let Grow kid? A dad explains the $5 challenge and other independence-building ideas here. If you have some of your own, cool “kid challenges” to share there, please do!
If you’re wondering if strangers and cars pose too great a threat to your child playing outside, this Let Grow post can point you to a fact-based handy reference guide.