Dirt + Play =

DIRT: Is soil with a bad reputation. 

5 reasons why you should let your kids get dirty

1. "Hygenie Hypthosis" The hygiene hypothesis proposes that childhood exposure to germs and certain infections helps the immune system develop. This teaches the body to differentiate harmless substances from the harmful substances that trigger asthma. In theory, exposure to certain germs teaches the immune system not to overreact.  Thus kids that Play in Dirt are healthier: Being exposed to high amounts of bacteria, and other microbes in the soil help build immune system. An increase in technology may have a relation to an increase in auto-immune diseases, versus the past. 

"Why Dirt Is Good: 5 Ways to Make Germs Your Friends," by immunologist Mary Ruebush, Ph.D.

2. Dirt is outdoors -  Based on Richard Louv's hypotheis,"nature deficient disorder" states that human beings, especially children, are spending less time outdoors.. Recent studies show that on average children spend 7 hours a day inside and infront of technology. This trend has been linked to an increase in obsiety, mental illnesses, and vitamin D diffecencies. By "unplugging" your kids from technology and getting them outside they are less likely to develop mental illnesses like ADHD, depression, and anxiety. 

3. Dirt + Play = (: - Do you remember making mud pies as a kid, wasn't it one of the highlights of your childhood? It is pretty easy to see the effects of being outside on your children. Kids are different when they are outside; free of schedules, pressures of school and sports, dirt offers a stress free environment. Research also indicates that there are microscopic bacteria called Mycobacterium vaccae that increase levels of serotonin.  

4. Creative play - Playing in dirt can help with development. Through freely chosen outdoor play activities children learn some of the skills necessary for adult life, including social competence, problem solving, creative thinking, and safety skills (Miller, 1989; Rivkin, 1995, 2000; Moore & Wong, 1997). When playing outdoors, children grow emotionally and academically by developing an appreciation for the environment, participating in imaginative play, developing initiative, and acquiring an understanding of basic academic concepts such as investigating the property of objects and of how to use simple tools to accomplish a task (Kosanke & Warner, 1990; Guddemi & Eriksen, 1992; Singer & Singer, 2000).

Outdoor play also offers children opportunities to explore their community; enjoy sensory experiences with dirt, water, sand, and mud; find or create their own places for play; collect objects and develop hobbies; and increase their liking for physical activity.

5.Encourages a passion for preservation- By playing in dirt kids build an understanding and love for the earth, this love will stay with them for years.

Nature Journaling: Connecting with nature, your kids, and you

What is nature journaling? 

Journalism has played an important part in understanding our past, present, and future. Where would we be without Darwin and his scientific recordings, Louis and Clark's recordings of their journey, even a horticulturalists observations of her plants throughout the year aids in the following years planting.  

“With just paper and pen, people who are passionate about a place may be as well equipped as anyone to protect it.”

—Carolyn Duckworth, naturalist-writer-teacher

 

Journals are an excellent tool for linking different subjects together. They foster communication skills, data collecting, creativity, and children have a record of their experiences for years to come. There are no rules or boundaries to creating and keeping a journal, but it may help to have some ideas how to get started.




“You must walk sometimes perfectly free, not prying or inquisitive, not bent on seeing things. Throw away a whole day for a single expansion, a single inspiration of air. …You must walk so gently as to hear the finest sounds, the faculties being in repose. …Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.”

—Henry David Thoreau

How to get started

1. Purchase or Make a Journal

I prefer to use a small water proof journal. Rite in the Rain makes the one of the best journals out there, easy to carry around, and of course you can write in the rain with them! You can also check out the craft and art stores for blank journals, but be aware these are not water proof, just imagine all those memories ruined if the journal gets wet.

• Rite in the Rain Sizes Range

But if you would rather create your own all you need is blank paper, a hole puncher, string, and a stick....and imagination!

Check on the Handbook of Nature Study for detailed instructions!

            

• Handbook of Nature Study Blog

2. Tools for Journaling
You only really need a pencil, but the following items can help!

• Magnify Glass
• Binoculars- Start with simple ones purchased at your local sporting good store.
• Bug Box- Any tupperwear contairer with small holes will do, also empty pill viles work great for hiking! 
• Net-
• Field Guides-
• Water Color Paints

• Colored Pencils: I tend to carry the smaller versions as they are easier to transport.
• Ruler: to measure leaves, ect. Note: Rite in the Rain journals have a ruler on the backside of the covers.
• Tape: I recently had a student find a fruit fly and tape in her nature journal, along with blades of grass and a leaf.
•  Keep in mind the following when taping nature to your journal.
• It will not rot and smell! 
• You are not in a preserve, many places will ask that you not pick items.
• Try not to pick items that seem in short supply, you never know that purple plant you just picked may be a rarity. 
• Do not pick items your cat will eat! My friend once tapped cat nip in her journal, the result was disastrous. 
• Taking photos is always another alternative. 

3. Find a Sit Spot! 

A sit spot is one place in your natural world that you like to visit often, a place you get to know and love, a place that becomes your best friend. A sit spot can be in the backyard, in a tree, on a rock, along a river, anywhere! Two basic guidelines to follow for a sit spot:

1. The sit spot must be near home, that way your child can easily observe changes throughout the seasons. 
2. The sit spot must be in a safe environment. 

4. Go past your sit spot!

Of course a sit spot is a great place to call your own, but don't just stop there. Encourage your child to journal everywhere there is nature they observe.

• On a hike
• Camping
• Siting and looking out the window
• Traveling in the car...(great alternative to the dvd player!)
• even watching your pets in the house. 

5. Get in touch with your all senses.

Remind your child to use all their senses when observing nature, this includes emotions  Have them describe the taste of the air, the feel of the grass, the shape of the clouds, the sounds of the birds, how they feel in this spot.

Great Guides to Nature Journaling 

• Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You

• The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms

• My Nature Journal: A Personal Nature Guide for Young People

• http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com

Journals can be anything your child wants it to be, it can contain anything the imagine. They can fill it up with poetry, weather observations, sketches of squirrels, leaf rubbings, fruit flies taped in the pages, anything! So do not discourage them with criticism. 

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Free eBook: Guide to Lifelong Learners

Free eBook: Guide to Lifelong Learners

Just thought I would share this great offer from Playful Learning. 

The Playful Learning Guide to Raising Lifelong Learners is the first in a series of Playful Learning guides for parents and teachers. The goal is to provide creative, effective, and practical tips that will inspire joyful learning and meaningful memories for children and grown-ups alike.

This eBook helps parents:

• Share in meaningful learning experiences as a family.
• Nurture habits of heart and mind within their children.
• Inspire a lifelong love of learning.

We hope you enjoy it and share it with your friends…

To download this e-book, simply complete the form on the right.

Click the link below to receive your free eBook.

Free eBook from Playful Learning

Also Check out her blog and website for courses on helping your child grow and learn.

Playful Learning Blog

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