Archive for February, 2009
Published by
Jana on
February 21, 2009
I absolutely love to read - as do my boys. When Taz is abnormally quiet, I can usually find him in his room flipping through books. I just saw a listing for this book which encourages free play for kids - something I’m a firm believer in. It’s called Einstein Never Used Flash Cards: How Our Children Really Learn — and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less. Just thought I’d pass it on.
It reminded me of a blog I recently found - the Playborhood - which advocates kids playing together in their neighborhoods - an art that is unfortunately at risk of being lost in this day and age. While I don’t have a neighborhood my kids can go out an play in easily, I still do my best to encourage time at the playground with neighborhood kids. Now if only these 40 mph winds would go away…
Published by
Jana on
February 12, 2009
I love the Green Hour program and everything it stands for. Today, I read an entry on their blog that I found especially in line with my own thoughts as the writer is also an urban mom trying to instill a love of nature in her children. Just wanted to pass it on…
Published by
Jana on
February 12, 2009
I know the groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter, but the last 6 days have been absolutely gorgeous. A most welcome break from the the freezing temps of the last few months. Even though I know the weather gods are going to plunge us back into a deep freeze, I’ve enjoyed every moment I possibly could of the warmth. Probably why I have a very long to do list of all the things I’ve neglected over the past week…
Yesterday, my friend, Kim, along with her two boys, showed us a gorgeous trail in 1,800 acre Wissahickon Valley Park called Forbidden Drive. We found plentiful street parking by taking a left off of Henry Avenue onto Monestary Drive and then making an immediate right. While this wasn’t a the trail head, it provided us a short walk under the Henry Avenue bridge onto the trail.
We had intended to have a decent hike along the stoller-friendly Forbidden Drive to an area with easy access to the river. But once the boys saw the river, there was no turning back.
We ended up climbing over the fence (yes, it was allowed) and straight down to the river where the boys could throw rocks into the water.
One thing Kim and I both agreed on was that when taking kids for a hike, the purpose has to be for them to enjoy nature and exploring, not for you to get in your exercise for the day.
Kim is also up for being part of the children and nature club that I want to start here in Philly - I’m thinking of calling it “PSX Philly” - any thoughts? I think Kai and Taz had a lot more fun having other kids to play and explore with.
After Kim’s eldest had stepped in the icy water a few too many times, she decided to head home for naptime. My boys and I decided to stay on as we were so enjoying being out. We sat together on a big rock for a while, just watching the leaves float down the river.
On our way back up the trail, Kai and I started looking for pods, acorns, pine cones and other items that had fallen out of the trees to use to make little nature people out of for an art project (inspired by the upcoming Kids Grow Expo - I’ll write about that in a future post). It was great to have a treasure hunt - it really added to Kai’s enthusiasm and, as a result, we ended hiking the yellow/green trail for another hour or so. While not stroller-friendly, I had forgotten mine anyway, so with Taz in the front-carrier we did just fine. It was bike and horse accessible - I would love to get day on the mountain bike without the kids this spring… Anyway, I was amazed at Kai’s endurance - all due to his having a purpose to his hike. I was actually the one who insisted on turning around once Taz got overly fussy. He fell asleep in my arms on the way back to the car - not the most comfortable way to walk, but we made it back to the car.
As I’ve looked over the Friends of the Wissahickon website, I am so excited about all there is to do in the park, which is part of the Fairmount Park system. There are numerous trails, as well as volunteer activities and organized hikes. There is even an environmental center which offers tot classes. While the schedule currently on their website is from last fall, I am hoping to visit there soon and find out about the updated options. The more I learn about Philly’s outdoor offerings, the more I am amazed by how nature friendly this big city is. And the more excited I am about discovering all we can!
Published by
Jana on
February 7, 2009
The day finally arrived that I have been waiting for since arriving in Philadelphia - the Green Woods Charter School open house. As the name suggests, this amazing school is located in the woods - 340 acres of woods to be exact - and is connected to the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. This is the school that I so dream of Kai being able to attend next year. And so do hundreds of other parents apparently as the room was jam packed - all there for their one chance to receive an application packet to vie for the 13 kindergarten spots that will be open in the fall. Luckily, the spaces are chosen by lottery, so each of us has a good a chance as the other. The extensive application is due the end of February, the lottery is held in April and we should know our status by May - I am so hoping and praying that we’ll be accepted!
If there was ever a school in Philly that I would want my children to attend - or even want to teach at myself - this is it. Green Woods has an incredible, nature based curriculum. The mission of the school is to:
“provide children in grades K through 8 with the opportunity to be active, knowledgeable and conscientious young investigators by fostering a keen understanding of the interrelatedness and interdependence of our local and global existence.”
That mission was apparent through every aspect of the school that we were exposed to - from the two hours the kids spend hiking each week to the worm farm in the kindergarten room. As the website states:
“Each and every day, Green Woods’ teaching team provides students with dynamic learning experiences that focus on the relationship between humans and the natural world. Our ponds, streams, forests, and fields act as the ideal “learning laboratory”; for exploration and discovery, while our partnership with the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education enhances the award-winning curriculum created and delivered by our passionate staff. Share the Green Woods experience through the eyes of our special kids.”
So, we’ll see what happens…
Earlier in the day, I took the boys to the Schuylkill (a word I still avoid attempting to say out loud) Center so I would know exactly where we were headed to that night. While the discovery center was filled with enticing, informative displays. While we were there, the current kindergarten class even came in for a lesson - I was thrilled to see that the center plays such a role in the daily curriculum of the students. Still, not wanting to get in the way of the class, it was a prime time to take off on a hike.
We hiked along portions of the grey fox loop, widener and woodcock trails and sat for a while in the Founder’s Grove for a picnic. They were out of trail maps in the center, so it wasn’t until looking at the website that I realized we weren’t actually supposed to eat on the trails - oops - but at least we did out best to ensure we didn’t leave any crumbs behind. There was still snow on the ground, so the walk was quite muddy and Kai had a great time crunching in the icy puddles. I was happy that he was entertained and created his own games to play as we walked along. We found a bird blind and I tried to encourage the boys to look quietly through the holes to watch the birds feed. Kai is getting used to an inside voice, but he just doesn’t get the need to be quiet outside - we’re working on it…
It made me think though about a story I had heard the week before at a women’s conference. Keala Sikahema, wife of Vai Sikahema, shared about a time when her husband was trying to teach their sons to use the riding lawn mower to make their lawn look as nice as their neighbhor’s perfectly manicured lawn. During a visit of Keala’s father, the boys were receiving one of the frequent lectures. Her father told Vai to “remember you are raising boys and growing men”. After that, Vai gave up on the lectures and soon the boys, as they continued to practice, did a fine job of mowing the lawn. I have been reminded of that story as I hiked with my boys, as well as we put away toys this week and flipped pancakes together. There is no need for perfection, we are just teaching our sons one step at a time. I can’t expect my boys to be expert hikers or have an innate respect for the birds, but I can share my love for nature with them during our leisurely nature walks - knowing that they will grow up to be men who have an appreciation - and, I hope, a passion - for the world around them.
Published by
Jana on
February 3, 2009
I just wanted to post this incredible helpful article from Low Impact Living on the most useful environmentally friendly websites for parents - because sometimes you just don’t know where to start looking! Low Impact Living has a wealth of information on all things green - from ways to make basic changes in your lifestyle to how to transform any room in your home. I even just read an article on eco-healthy child care centers throughout the country.
One small thing we’ve just done was order a energy saving kit through our electricity provider - it includes a new water-saver showerhead, lightbulbs and several other items that help to save electricity throughout the home. As I see it, we can’t expect our children to love nature if we’re not doing our part to preserve it for them - and teaching them to do it for themselves.
Published by
Jana on
February 2, 2009
from the recession. The zoos, botanical gardens and aquariums in New York state are losing much of their state funding which is a shame on so many levels. Of course of greatest concern to me is that it may deprive many children from having a chance to interact with nature. As stated by Mr. Steve Englebright in the New York Times article:
“It is through these institutions — the excitement of a trip to the zoo, or the ability to touch an exotic plant at the botanical gardens — that stirs the imagination and leads to a lifetime commitment to caring about the natural world.”
And I’m sure this won’t be the last we hear of such cuts as the recession deepens. Here in Philadelphia, the city has already stated that they will close nearly all of the public swimming pools this summer, in addition to fire departments, libraries and many other things our neighborhoods depend on. During a hot summer in a big city, going to the pool is sometimes all kids are able to do outside. While I realize the political leaders are doing their best to ensure the cities and states are able to endure the current economic storm, it doesn’t make it any less disappointing.
Published by
Jana on
February 1, 2009
The boys and I finally made our first solo expedition out of Philly. While It should have been a straight shot down route 1 to Media, PA, I’ve found that google maps and Philadelphia streets don’t seem to get along, so it took quite a bit longer as it sent us down Girard Avenue through a few neighborhoods that I would rather not get lost in… But we got there.
Our destination was the Tyler Arboretum - a fantastic nature center just about 1/2 hour (or an hour if you have my directional skills) south of the city. My friend, Kay, saw an ad for a kids nature class in a local parenting newspaper and thought we might be interested - I’m glad Kay knows me so well already. So, off we went…
The class we attended was geared specifically to 4-5 year olds, referred to as tiny trackers. Classes for older kids are called junior naturalists and for younger, teeny tiny trackers. For just $8 ($6 if you’re a member of the arboretum), Kai had an hour and a half class on the wonders of winter including a story, an explorative walk and a craft project. Each month, they have different classes for each age group.
While I had been looking forward to seeing what the class was all about, when the teacher said that parents could leave, I grabbed Taz and got out of there before she could change her mind. Because, with 20 miles of hiking trails, I was hyped to have a chance to get a good hike in - with just a sleeping bundle in the front carrier and some time on my own to reflect. It was a chilly day, but I made sure Taz was rugged up and I quickly warmed up while walking. I took the yellow trail - it was just under two miles so allowed me enough time in the woods without making late to pick up Kai after class.
In addition to the hiking trails, there was a pond, gardens and even a reproduction of Thoreau’s cabin that I sat in for a while just staring out at the pond.
Unfortunately though, while trying to take off my gloves to check the trail map, my camera fell to the ground and I thought it was broken. Turned out it wasn’t, thus the one photo of the front of the arboretum that I took while trying one last time to fix the camera before we left - obviously, success.
Anyway, I’m hoping our next trip down to the arboretum will be for the pancake breakfast & maple sugaring celebration - time in nature to make me happy, all you can eat pancakes to make my boys happy - I’d say it’s a win, win situation.
