Let the Kids Run Wild

04/30/2008

Hope is like a road in the country: there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.
Lin Yutang

Bonnie and I are in New Zealand for the Working Forum for Teacher Educators. This morning the headline in the New Zealand Herald (April 28, 2008; nzherald.co.nz) read, "Let the Kids Run Wild, Says Irwin." This was the message delivered by another visitor to New Zealand, Teri Irwin, the American-born naturalist, author, and widow of Australian naturalist Steve Irwin. Her message to Kiwi parents was "go to the bush with your children to get to know the outdoors again."

In talking about her campaign to instill the wildlife experience in other people, she shared this story...

"I was visiting a butterfly sanctuary in another country and there was a woman who, as a butterfly flew by dodged it, like it was flying at her. I thought 'wow we're getting far from wildlife.' If you're afraid of a butterfly, we're in trouble here.

"It's exciting in New Zealand because so many people get their kids out to experience nature and to learn not to be afraid of it."

Contributed by Roger Neugebauer

Exchange Resources on Nature

Exchange has a variety of practical resources on introducing young children to nature. We have two books...

• Learning with Nature Idea Book
• The Wonder of It: Exploring How the World Works

And, we have the following nature-oriented Beginnings Workshop 16-page training tools...

• Nature and Young Children
• Science, Using the Outdoors
• Curriculum and Nature
• Outdoor Environments

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