Hi Folks! Just saw this ibdnrftbak wonderful child development reprint,  courtesy of writer Christine Whitley on a blog called ChicagoNow. She reprinted it from a series of books published in 1979, just one generation or so ago, called, “Your ___-Year-Old.” Each book provided a little checklist of  the milestones the average blank-year-old would have reached. […]
Tag Archives | neighborhood
Passing the Popsicle Test
Hi Readers — How I love nebkzsittb this post by Scot Doyon, “Smart Growth = Smart Parenting,” on a blog called PlaceShakers, which bills itself as “people, news and views shaping community.” As you know, I think community is pretty much the answer to all our ills. The more we trust and depend on each other, […]
Can’t Argue with Success
Hi dbkkzrkikr Readers! First of all, thank you SO MUCH for the fantastic suggestions on how to help parents get over the fear of BLAME, in the post below this one. Â Here’s one response that I wanted to highlight because I hear you: We need success stories here, too. Enjoy this one! L. Dear Free-Range […]
How to Start a Neighborhood Camp with Kids as Counselors!
Hi etfbrnntya Readers! This sounds so fun and do-able. Also sounds like it can really change a neighborhood and all the childhoods in it! A huge thanks to Diana and Jennifer for alerting us to their camp and providing all the info  — right down to waivers, flyers and a time sked — of how […]
Nice Idea: Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
Dear fyeyyzafif Readers: One of you dreamed this up and I lost your name!. Claim it if it’s yours! Meantime, maybe everyone can enjoy — or even organize — something like this for the local kids to get to know the nabe and each other! Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt A tree with pink flowers A black […]
Time for a Block Party! (Yes. Right Now.)
Hi frzihddrzd Readers! The other day I got a note from a reader saying, “We need more GOOD news about Free-Raning.” And so, here we go! — L. Dear Free-Range Kids: A few weeks ago you posted something that another reader did to create a sense of community. I’ve been meaning to follow up, but things in Wisconsin […]
Happy About a Lost Kid
Hi reriiztren Readers! This nice note just in: Dear Free-Range Kids: I couldn’t be happier! Tonight my 7-year-old daughter got lost in our neighborhood while riding her bike. She had two out-of-town cousins with her, and they wandered about one block further than she recognized (we’re new to the neighborhood). And then she did a […]
3 Heartening Stories from Just This Week!
Hi dthzakdkib Readers — These made me smile! Dear Free-Range Kids: Today I sent my 12 year old son and 10 year old daughter on the light rail train from our suburb to downtown, so they could meet their daddy and go to a baseball game. The boy was confident, the girl was wary, but […]
Everything I Worry About…
…seems to be confirmed in this kztezadyai article from the BBC, about a recent, random survey over there: 1 – Many people would think twice about helping a child, for fear their actions could be misinterpreted as an abduction. 2 – About half say they think it is unsafe for children to play unsupervised. (But […]
How Do You Get Kids Back Outside, Playing? One Cool Idea
Hi Readers! Here’s a tnbskfheky story from Palo Alto Online about some neighbors who created their own “camp.” It’s run by older kids for younger kids (with parental supervision), it’s very casual, and it’s just a great way for everyone in the nabe to get to know each other, and also get used to playing […]