Saturday, July 15, 2017

Nature-Deficit Disorder: More free time? Say's who?

How do we spend this supposed free time? We aren't hunting or gathering like our caveman ancestors or even taking adventures in the woods or playing pick up games like our grandparents. Instead, we're forcing our kids into organized sports or other extra curricular activities. I'm not saying these are bad, some kids quite enjoy them and truly benefit from them. But the kid has to WANT to do them. Sometimes parent's force their children into a sports team or into playing a music instrument, believing it will boost their child's overall intelligence or give them a heads up on others. If the child wishes to participate in these activities, then they will truly pursue and excel at them. Otherwise it will just seem like work to the child, and won't really benefit. 

Another point I want to make is time spent with family. Families don't take vacations anymore. Even cheap day trips. When families take vacations, it is seen as a luxury. This bonding time is crucial and provides so many opportunities for children. Now again, I'm not talking about 5 star hotel condo on the beach vacation. I'm talking visiting state parks or visiting family in other places. People don't know there extended family any more. We know some sure, but not like people used too. I know some of my cousins and aunts and uncles, but that's all, and some of them I still haven't seen in years. People don't do family reunions anymore. My family finally started going after not going for many many years. Out of the 30 some people that were there, i might of know 5 outside my own family. Now it's got better since my family has started going annually. My mom knew everyone though. She'd be like this is your Great Aunt Sue, her son is Jake, who married Pauly, and that's there kids Sam and Lena. I needed like a family tree and flash cards. Haha. Sorry, I just want on a tangent, but anyway, point made. We don't travel. We're stuck in this endless rut of work/school, organized activities, dinner, sleep, repeat. 
My family reunion 2015
(We're so photogenic aren't we!)

The last point I want to make, which is kind of separate from the rest, but non the less I felt needed addressed. People today are sometimes CRAZY! Stranger danger is a real thing! But people shouldn't live in fear. Parents shouldn't teach there children to fear everyone. Instead, teach them to follow there gut instinct when dealing with people. Teach them people they can talk to if they need help. Cops aren't people to fear! Teacher's deserve your respect. Librarians aren't stuck up old ladies. Teach your children to find good people if they need help. If they feel like someone is after them, tell them to find someone they feel they can trust. When I worked at Walmart, I dealt with 2 lost children. Once I was approached by a young boy toddler who had lost his mom. After calming him down and getting a smile and a chuckle, I took him by the hand and asked him his mommy's name and where he last saw mommy. Luckily, mom was only two isles down and all was well. This child knew he was in trouble and sought out help. Another time, I heard the crying of another young boy. I found him cowering in fear of anyone who came near. He kept saying "You aren't mommy". Poor guy was terrified. I eventually gained his trust and all was well. But he'd of rather cower in fear and risk being alone then seek out help. Please please please! Don't teach your children to fear! That does way more harm then good. 

7 comments:

  1. Katie,

    Thanks for sharing. I am really curious: From this blog, what is one specific concept or idea that you are compelled to apply to your practice/instruction as a student teacher in the Spring when you are responsible for the learning environment?

    ReplyDelete
  2. So I finished the book on Monday on my way down to the case Institute. It was really cool to hear the Bartholomew's gardening technique was used in the in the book. There's so much to explore outside if we can get our kids out to the outdoors

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anthony, tell me more about this gardening technique.

      How do you see it connecting to your program?

      Delete
  3. I have often heard it said that since "Ag Ed" is a lifestyle in so many ways, it is highly recommended to integrate family. i.e. it does not have to be a dichotomous choice of "work" or "family"; there are opportunities for both.

    I will also remember tagging along with mom to stockshows as a young child and thinking it was just super cool and how neat the high school kids where!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Katie, this is a post that pushes me to think about why I do things and who I do them with. There is a lot to take away from this post and as a teacher I think how I can minimize these misconceptions and provide avenues for students to find their self-driven passions. I am not sure if you had the opportunity in AEE 311 to try out Genius Hour but it is a concept that I know we use in out classes and the results are more then what we could hope for. How do you think you will use the classroom to achieve student driven passion?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good point!! Connecting to "Purpose, Autonomy and Passion" - We have evolved Genius hour over time to something called "Pink Time" based off of Daniel Pink's book - Drive.

      Delete
  5. I bought this book from eBay about 2 years ago and haven't found time to open it. Maybe it's time.
    You mentioned the concept of lack of family time. I have a friend who gets her children "experience vouchers" for Christmas. This then gives them family activities to do throughout the year. For example, a day trip to the Crayola Experience or a long weekend of camping somewhere or a night out at a baseball game, etc.

    ReplyDelete