Sunday, November 7, 2010
Children's Rights: Children's Right to Nature
Children's Rights: Children's Right to Nature: "A topic that has been interesting to me in the past few years has been children's lack of contact in their natural environment. There have ..."
Children's Right to Nature
A topic that has been interesting to me in the past few years has been children's lack of contact in their natural environment. There have been numerous studies that have found that children are spending more time inside and more screen time which includes computers, video games, television etc. The side effects that they are finding include childhood obesity and lack of respect and knowledge for their environment. Many schools have eliminated recess from their daily schedule and those that have a playground, mainly in urban areas, it consists of concrete and no natural elements.
As of January 2010 Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien has created a Colorado Outdoor Bill of Rights for kids. She traveled to many communities in the state to hear what the children thought their rights to nature was. Here is the list:
My questions to you all
Do children have the right to nature?
What are the benefits in your mind?
Is recess taking away from Academic studies?
What are some rights that are not on this list that you would include?
Are some different because where you live?
As of January 2010 Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien has created a Colorado Outdoor Bill of Rights for kids. She traveled to many communities in the state to hear what the children thought their rights to nature was. Here is the list:
- Camp out under the stars
- Follow a trail -- ride it, walk it, and be respectful of everyone's right to use the trail.
- Play in a creek or river -- fish, wade, paddle or skip a stone.
- Experience the wonders of Colorado's four seasons: wildflowers, abundant sunshine, the changing aspen leaves and fresh powder snow.
- Visit a working farm or ranch.
- Enjoy the view from the top of a mountain.
- Identify Colorado's official state wildlife and plants in their natural habitat.
- Explore one of Colorado's dozens of local, state and national parks.
- Play in the dirt and learn about the world from the ground up.
- Plant a seed for other Colorado kids to enjoy in the future.
My questions to you all
Do children have the right to nature?
What are the benefits in your mind?
Is recess taking away from Academic studies?
What are some rights that are not on this list that you would include?
Are some different because where you live?
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