Today I had a wonderful experience of watching a mother doing her best to console both of her children in a parent-child playgroup at the local Waldorf School. Her older child wanted attention while her younger child needed it too.  I have no idea how I would have handled her same situation, what I do know, is that I could reference the books How to Talk so Kids will Listen and How to Listen so Kids will Talk or Siblings without Rivalry both by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.

I’ll admit, I haven’t read Siblings without Rivalry, I lent it to a very good friend a few weeks back and she hasn’t returned it.  The few times she has talked about the book she has said, “just knowing that book is on my desk leads me to approach situations between my children differently.”

How to Talk so Kids will Listen and How to Listen so Kids will Talk has many wonderful, insightful question, comics, and assignments. Is easy to read and follow, is gentle, but clear in how to address the challenges we face as parents. I have started working through each chapter; a couple (yeah, just a couple) times when  met with my 2.5 year olds strong will, I have been able to draw inner strength from my work in the book to address the issues with wisdom and patience.

To order the books, or learn more about the work of Adele and Elaine check out their webpage.

Click here for summary of the key points from their books and workshops.

Happy Parenting!

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Jennifer Ward, children’s book author, is a leading pioneer in getting children (back) outside. Her books i love dirt and let’s go outside are wonderful resources for parents to remind us of the fun we’ve had outside.

i love dirt has 52, seasonally related, activities for children ages 4-8 to do with their parents rain or shine, day or night… exploring and reconnecting with the wonders of nature. Richard Louv writes in the forward:

“There is no exotic setting required, no special equipment: simply flip through the book to the appropriate season- or mix and match- then find and activity (or inactivity) that speaks to you, and go out there. I say inactivity, because there are a number of wonderful suggestions that are designed to get readers to slow down, see what is around them, and pay attention to the senses.”

let’s go outside, contains four chapters of activities and projects for children 8-12 years old. Being in nature can be therapeutic for all of us, so moms, dads, educators, grandparents, this is a wonderful resource. In the words of Jennifer Ward:

“Most preteens are aware of nature’s existence on a surface level but do not take advantage of what the outdoors offers. It’s easy to learn about the force and physics of wind through the use of the Internet or a book, but it is a completely different experience to feel the force and physics of wind for yourself with a kite in hand. Which type of activity do you believe offers a deeper appreciation and a more meaningful comprehension?”

I have borrowed both books from my local library and enjoy thumbing through them for ideas, inspiration, and information… if your library doesn’t have them, make a request or purchase it and donate it to the library. You’re doing your family and community a favor making these books available.

Share your ideas here in the comments or on your own blog. I’m excited to add new adventures to my treasure chest!

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I am happy to say that my son is not suffering from nature-deficit disorder, he learned to walk in the pine forest featured in the photograph above, it’s a rare day when we fail to venture outside to learn from the natural world.

In 2004 as a third grade teacher, I proposed that my class make a small garden on the school property… I wish I had pictures to show off my nine year olds eating radish’s and lettuce. My love for gardening and nature have carried me through the good times and the bad times. As a geologist, I have tried to understand the Earth and know things about the rock types and history, rocks are our universal foundation. Nature is a foundation for me.

I am so excited about the national movement to engage children with nature. Although it does seem a little bazaar that we need a movement to get children outside. That said; I want to share some helpful webpage links for parents and educators interested new ideas for taking children outside.

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, outlines beautifully the disconnect from nature that our children are experiencing and the subsequent consequences. His book is a best-seller and a must read.

Countless organizations have jumped on board to sail into a new time, where we can hear children playing in the woods, along streams, through the mountains. Check out what’s going on in your neck of the woods!

Children in Nature Collaborative
Children’s Nature Institute
Children and Nature Network
GreenHour
No Child Left Inside

Please email me or comment with additional links that you know of specific to your region.

Thanks for reading!

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