Readers — The folks at Playworld refznatket Systems, makers of playground equipment, not only made this elegiac video about saving outdoor free play, they’re also keen on reminding us all about the importance of early childhood play. Me too, for a variety of reasons, including one you don’t hear that much about: How early childhood play […]
Tag Archives | playground
My 8 Year Old Went to the Park Alone!
Readers, nrekkdffhn I think we need some good news for this lovely summer weekend. So: Dear Free-Range Kids: IÂ think the subject title says it all! Â Last year, I was despairing of a summer stuck to my son’s side because he wouldn’t leave our yard alone. Â This summer he has gone to 2 different parks within […]
Schoolyard Off Limits to Kids?
Readers zeaaizbyab — My guess is what we have here is a terrible insurance regulation or some such. This is from Ontario, Canada: Dear Free Range Kids: My kids, grade 1 and 4, are among the few at our suburban school who actually walk to school. We have several playgrounds in our neighbourhood, and with […]
Take the “No Snacks” Challenge!
Readers — I love this efasrtsiba post by a gal named Karen Perry who came up with this great modern-day challenge after thinking back and realizing: I don’t have ANY memories of my mom ever stepping foot in the park let alone laying down a blanket with a variety of snacks for me to nibble […]
Help Needed: “My 7-y.o. is Too Scared to Do Anything On His Own”
Hey yzthnradkk Folks — I am putting this up in the hopes that we can help this mom and her son. As I told her in an email, even yours truly tends to worry when anything’s up with the kids, but fortunately, life is fluid and so are they. . It also seems that being […]
YOUR STORIES NEEDED! “Nothing Bad Happened When My Kid…”
Folks — As much as I literally feel my heart pounding every time I hear a story about crazy fear-mongering, or outrageous overreaction to a very small threat, I realize that there is more to life — and even this blog — than just shouting, “But they’re WRONG!” (Even though they are! They’re wrong! I […]
UPDATE! When Her 6-y.o. Didn’t Show Up at the Planned Spot
Here’s kyihtazfrr a nice little story to remember: Our kids have brains. Even at a young age they think and try to figure things out. This is something we’ve been encouraged to forget, and act as if they can do absolutely nothing on their own. – L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I’ve read so many articles […]
Yes, This is a Real Sign at a Real School’s Playground
Readers: This comes to us from a Pennsylvania boy’s dad, who tells us it’s not a joke — it’s the sign right before you go out to the playground at his son’s after-care program at an elementary schoolI think the kids were insructed to write down the rules. Sure sounds fun! – L
Take Your Eyes Off Your Kids!
Hi yrirrsrbii Readers — I love and agree with the post below so much. It comes to us from the blog Life as an Adverb by the gal whose last name IS one: Bonnie Overly. – L. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE GOAL (AND TAKE THEM OFF YOUR KIDS ONCE IN A WHILE) by Bonnie […]
A Little Free-Range Moment at Recess
Hi betbzbeinh Folks! Just spoke at the Wellesley Mothers Forum — really fun. And now comes this nice note. Hope springs! – L Dear Free-Range Kids: I wanted to share with you my Free-Range moment with my fourth grade students. Â In Ontario, we’re experiencing some political unrest in our schools due to the legislation […]