Health | Legislation/Policy

Wall Street Journal – August 13, 2008

WSJ: Why Safe Kids Are Becoming Fat Kids

By Philip K. Howard
The desire to insulate children from all forms of risk is having unintended consequences, writes attorney Philip Howard in the Wall Street Journal’s Commentary section. “The harmful effects of our national safety obsession ripple outward into society. One in six children in America is obese, and many of them will face a lifetime of chronic illness.” [+]

• [>] On Child Obesity by Richard Louv
• [>] Obesity Part 1: What's needed to encourage a culture of fitness? -- on NewTalk.org

Health

Toronto Sun – July 13, 2008

Kids Should Be Free to Play, Author Says

By Marilyn Linton
The Toronto Sun talks with early-childhood expert Rae Pica about the importance of unstructured play in children’s lives. The author of A Running Start: How Play, Physical Activity and Free Time Create a Successful Child, Pica urges adults to let children find their own unique ways to entertain themselves, even if that means occasionally being bored. “Heaven forbid they get to adulthood,” she says, “and not know how to be alone with themselves and their thoughts.” [+]

Health

Miami Herald – May 31, 2008

Miami Herald: The Changing Nature of Play

By Ana Veciana-Suarez
A sobering article in the Miami Herald looks at the reasons why fewer children today enjoy the kind of free play that was common even a generation ago. As a single mother who fears letting her daughters play outdoors unsupervised remarks in the article, “I think they’re missing out on the freedom to be a child, to do just what they want.” [+]

Access

USA Today – June 27, 2008

Author Advocates Free Play in USA Today

By Nanci Hellmich
Susan Linn, author of the book The Case for Make Believe: Saving Play in a Commercialized World, discusses the importance of unstructured play in a recent interview with USA Today. Beyond simply advising parents to make sure their children have play time away from the television and electronic toys, she specifically recommends taking kids outdoors. “Children actually play more creatively in nature,” she says. [+]

Packet Online – June 11, 2008

Book Chronicles Dad Connecting Kids with Nature

By Adam Grybowski
Rick Van Noy, an English professor and father, has written a book that chronicles his efforts to turn his children’s attention from their television and computer screens to the outdoors. A Natural Sense of Wonder: Connecting Kids with Nature Through the Seasons focuses on Van Noy’s experience of bringing his children outdoors and allowing them to play without structure. In a series of essays organized mostly by season, he describes swimming, hiking, gardening, and fishing with his family. [+]

Media & Culture

The Christian Science Monitor – May 22, 2008

Free-range kids

By Gloria Goodale
Journalist Lenore Skenazy has sparked a dialogue that's touched a nerve in the national psyche. Are American parents raising children who are never allowed to take risks, or are they simply protecting them? For a complicated mix of reasons there is an urgent and growing desire among families to reassess their lifestyles and consider a more balanced form of parenting, one that allows for more independence and risk-taking. [+]

• [>] for more information visit the Free-range Kids BLOG

Natural Leader Tamara Poles and Virginia Museum of Natural History are Putting People Back in Touch with Nature

Nearly 13,000 people have taken part in 247 programs of the Community Nature Initiative. [+]

• [>] Read the article

TRACK Trails Offer Nationwide Weapon Against Nature-Deficit Disorder

New interpretive trail system for kids comes to U.S. national parks. [+]

• [>] Read the article

Applications Open for 2012 TogetherGreen Fellowships and Innovation Grants

Audubon & Toyota seek to fund promising conservation leaders and community-based projects. [+]

“No Child Left Ashore” Movement Makes Waves

SF Bay Area's Pegasus Project gets students out on the water, where transformations occur. [+]

• [>] Read the article

Play England Calls for Support to Help Kids Play Outside

Research shows that 21% of children play outdoors daily, compared to 71% during their parents'… [+]

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A Healing Place for Children

C&NN Founding Chair Richard Louv consulting on new children's treatment center in MN, which is… [+]

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National Kids to Parks Day Set for May 19

Nationwide day of outdoor play organized by National Park Trust. Classroom contest ends March 1. [+]

• [>] Read the article

Chevy Chase, MD, Preschool Encourages Learning Outside the Box

Preschoolers spend at least half a day outside in woods, in all seasons. [+]

• [>] Read the article

Study: Preschoolers Need to Get a Move On

Most pre-school children spend hours doing sedentary activities instead of playing outside, research has shown. [+]

• [>] Read the article
• [>] Read more about the AAP study