Let Them Play!!

I read this article about play from the New York Times this morning on the fabulous blog of another homeschooling Mama, and had to copy it here. Here are a few paragraphs, or follow the link to see the whole article. Thanks for sharing, Karen!

For most American children in the not-so-distant past, “going out to play” was the norm. Today, according to a University of Michigan study, children spend 50 percent less time outside than they did just 20 years ago — and the 6.5 hours a day they spend with electronic media means that sitting in front of a screen has replaced going out.

Through the lens of play research, we can see that there is a direct line between play deficiencies and some frightening public health and social trends: tragic statistics for obesity, 4.5 million children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, an increase in childhood depression and classroom behavioral problems involving violence, and an inability to interact well with peers.

Evidence from around the scientific compass — neuroscience, psychology, exercise physiology, sociology and developmental biology — has revealed the importance of play. Deprive a social mammal like a rat or monkey of its normal rough-and-tumble play and it enters adulthood emotionally fragile, unable to tell friend from foe, poor at handling stress and lacking the skills to mate properly.

The differences in playfulness when adulthood arrives (I have followed more than 6,000 detailed play histories) validates the importance of lifelong play. Play-deprived adults are often rigid, humorless, inflexible and closed to trying out new options. Playfulness enhances the capacity to innovate, adapt and master changing circumstances. It is not just an escape. It can help us integrate and reconcile difficult or contradictory circumstances. And, often, it can show us a way out of our problems.

True play may seem pointless — it is done for its own sake, because it’s fun — but ultimately it is also useful. From an evolutionary perspective, the smarter the animal, the more they play. For humans, play reinvigorates us not because it is down time, but because it gets us in touch with our core selves and the joy of life.

Rockwood Conservation Area

Rockwood conservation area is one of our favourite close-by parks. It offers up so many wonderful ways to spend a day...so we don't really need to decide what to do until we get there. The conservation area is on the Grand river, and is the site of an old textiles mill from the late 1800s. Although some of the ruins were fenced off this year (a change since last season) we still had a great time exploring.

Another great feature is the caves - we were not able to venture too far in, but far enough for the boys to feel they had been a little bit adventurous. It always amazes me to tuck into a cave and then come out again and look up - to see how much mass is on top of where I stood just a few moments ago.
In a pinch, a camera flash acts as a great flashlight!!

The river is also great to explore, although we didn't bring fishing rods today.

As an added bonus, just before we left we spotted 2 little brown bats who were resting up for the day in between the layers of glass on the park sign.

African Lions Safari

Even a dragon fly larvae to check out up close!!

Fraser Institute Homeschooling Article

Another homeschooling Mom passed along the link to this article on Homeschooling by the Fraser Institute. I like to have it around and refer back to it once in a while - just a nice, balances (non-granola-crunching) reminder about one some of the reasons that we choose to homeshool.
http://www.fraserinstitute.org/researchandpublications/publications/4932.aspx

William's latest LEGO creation

You know how sometimes in families, Mama and Daddy have somewhat differing opinions about things? How sometimes one parents wants to share an interest or passion with the offspring and the other parents wonders about its...appropriateness? Well, that seems to happen a fair bit around here. Sometimes I manage to get my point across, and sometimes, well....

So, here is William's latest LEGO creation - Dr. Who figures. I know, I know, don't even start. Believe me, I have had that discussion before. For those of you who are not up on the latest Dr. Who details ( as I am certainly not), here is The Doctor - 2 different incarnations, Donna, K-9, a darlick, and the Tardis (inside and out).

Woodstock Fair

Around our home, the big event of the year, which the kids start talking about many months in advance, is the Fall Fair. In our little town, the fall fair actually happens in the fall (the perfect time of year, if you ask me) - on the Thanksgiving long weekend every year. This means that about the beginning of August, every single drive into or out of town, which all take us by the fair grounds, is filled with such comments as..."I don't see anything yet...that is where the horses will be.....maybe those people are getting the buildings ready...do you think it will be coming soon?...Hey - is that it???...Mama, when is it going to be time?!?!?!" You get the picture. So when we got the invite from my sister and her kids to join them at the fair in their town, it was an easy decision. A day out with family, and a perfect warm-up to our fair, which still seems all too far away.

A beautiful day in the sun, and tired legs just in time to go home and avoid the coming storm.

We are here, we are here, we are here!

I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted... Aunt Delche even e-mailed to make sure we were all right.....so I thought I better take a minute to check in. We are all happy, healthy, and well here, if a little too busy for my tastes. Last week saw us with a full house, as four (yes, 4) of a good friends' kids spent some time with us. Let me tell you, I am used to being a little outnumbered by children, but having 6 children ages 6 and under is a whole new world!! They are wonderful kids (mine and hers) and I even got to pull out my baby sling and get some snuggle time with Charlotte, a sweet little just-turned-one year old. As for this week, somehow it has just slipped away from me. We have been busy (fall fairs, and caving and LEGO, Oh my!) but obviously not busy blogging. But there are only 2 days left in the work week, and then a lovely 3-day weekend waiting for us, full of bright, fun-filled days, and cool relaxing evenings catching up here.

Hope you are all well,
Jo