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?
Do children have the right to nature?
ReplyDeleteNature is a right to all people, we were born into nature and it should be a part of us. Children especially need to be in nature to learn the value of it; they will never be able to understand why water conservation is important if they have never been to a mountain stream, students may never understand the interdependence every creature in the forest has on each other until they lay on the forest ground or climb a tree, children might never know climate change if they have never played in snow and begin to miss it. If we want a futer population that cares about their environment they need to be in it, a lot, to learn to love it.
What are the benefits in your mind?
From my experience challenging behaviors diminish in the wilderness. Students have freedoms to run, jump, climb, throw, roll, get dirty and explore. Children use their imaginations to pretend about the creatures in the forest and the adventures they might have will them. Children become problem solvers when they are given enough time in nature to build a fort or a forest hiding spot, children gain independence and confidence from these sercret problem solving experiences and adventures, and we need all of the independent problem solvers we can get in this world.
Is recess taking away from Academic studies?
Absolutely not, learning does not stop on the playground. School is important for academics, but if students do not learn interpersonal relationship building skills, conflict-resolution skills and "street-smarts" their academics will do them little good. I recently visited a Kindergarten classrooom that had 20 minutes for recess....total free time given in an eight hour day. The teacher explained that they would "sneak out" whenever possible because the students go crazy sitting for so long. Children need to run and they are not welcome to do that inside so good teachers know to bring them outside.
What are some rights that are not on this list that you would include?
To be alone. I need personal time alone and as adults we must set up safe environments so our children can be alone too. I act a different way when I am alone, I talked to myself, I sing louder, I run because it is fun, I just sit and watch, and I think our children have the right to be alone as well.
Are some different because where you live?
Some students have more access to their rights than others. A student on the farm lives a much different life than a child in denver. Perhaps they live in different places but their rights are the same and parents in both environments should work to be sure their children rights are being fufilled.
Children have the right to live on a planet where nature is respected and cared for. They should feel, as the Native peoples did, that they are a part of the whole process, and are not here to pollute or destroy their environment. These are learned values and skills and we, as adults have a responsibility to teach them.
ReplyDeleteI cannot tell you how many children have told me that their favorite part of the school day is "recess". It is a crucial time for the development of social skills, which are critical to success in life.