Buds and blossoms are bursting everywhere and today’s 80 degree heat will speed growth exponentially. Be sure to stop, look, and enjoy this rich time of year. Here are few simple things to do with kids. – Pick a bud and record its growth each day. Use a ruler to measure. – If you have a […]
Leaf Out: Stop, look and enjoy Spring Read More »
What you do in the outdoors is more important than what you say. Show them how to observe by being an active observer. Show them with your enthusiasm and excitement about the world. Show them by asking questions and encouraging questions. And most of all, show them by being fearless. This is the greatest gift
Show don’t tell: Giving kids the gift of observation Read More »
Physical Activity: the Foundation for a Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Getting Your Family Active Guest Post by Emily Patterson of Primrose Schools Experts suggest that young children need to accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Unfortunately, many children are not nearly as active as they need to be. It is clear
Guest Post: Tips for Getting Your Family Active Read More »
Some people will be remembered forever. Bud Jordahl is one of those people. Bud Jorhahl was my grad school professor at the UW-Madison. He died May 11, 2010, and was honored April 11, 2011 at a reception at the Pyle Center. This man’s environmental legacy was huge, but to me, he will always be remembered
Bud Jordahl: He will be remembered Read More »
“Let’s go biking!” We will receive five Schwinn folding bikes next week. These bikes form the foundation of a new bike program at the Goodman Community Center. I am very excited about this program and will start taking kids on trips as soon as the bikes arrive. Why folding bikes? Well, they are much easier
Let’s Go Biking: New folding bikes arriving soon Read More »
Every kid should have a bike. Period. Biking promotes independence and fitness but most of all it’s fun. Wheels for Winners is one of the coolest organizations on the planet because they put bikes in the hands of kids – and adults – that can’t afford them. The program is easy. Kids do 15 hours of
Wheels for Winners: Kids earn a bike for service Read More »
I let five boys play in “the pond” during after school on Friday. They got a little wet and dirty and they loved it. Imagine that. “The pond” is a rain garden sandwiched between our parking lot and a cell phone tower. It’s a little bit of wild in an urban setting. It’s a place where chorus
Boys build things and play in the water Read More »
What could be better than tasting maple sap right from the tree? Not much. What are the chances that John will forget where maple syrup comes from? Not likely. Doing, tasting, touching, seeing, anything that activates the senses, increases the odds that kids – and adults – will retain knowledge. It also doesn’t hurt that
Maple Syrup Magic at MacKenzie: A feast for the senses Read More »
Tomorrow I am taking 45 people to Maple Syrup Fest at MacKenzie Environmental Education Center. Tonight I will be in bed by 8 pm. Promise. Preparing for a trip like this is exciting and tiring. The permission slips are probably the thing I hate most. They are a necessary part of working with kids, but paperwork
Big Trip Tomorrow: Must get Zzzzzzz Read More »
March is maple syrup month. It’s a magical time of year. Sap only runs when night temps fall below freezing and days are in the 40s. Once it gets too warm – usually by mid April – the season is over. This weekend I’m heading up to MacKenzie Environmental Education Center in Poynette with a group
Maple Syrup Time: But will kids eat it? Read More »
