“You must create your own world. I’m responsible for my world.” --Louise Nevelson
Creating a World
The process of human development includes hundreds of daily decisions. What we eat, who we make eye contact with, how we spend our spare time, when we choose to speak up or keep silent, are only a few of the myriad choices in a day that largely determine the shape of our lives. Without a strong imagination, our choices become narrow and pale; we move on autopilot instead of considering possibilities. Imagination can generate answers to chronic problems, and lift our minds to wider horizons. Childhood is one of the richest times to play with the colorful and exuberant choices that develop original thoughts. Parents can help their child with this process by setting aside the time and space necessary for letting imaginations grow. Resist the community call to sign your child up for extracurricular activities that eat up precious time. Turn off the TV and limit computer time. These simple acts can lift a child to her best thinking and affect life choices into adulthood.
The Way From Here: Essays from the Mudpies Files:
These essays and journal entries reflect the lurching, joyous process of raising four children. It is a place where terrible birthday parties are thrown, tempers are lost and found, and the ways of a child bring the whole world into perspective.
Why is resiliency a critical life skill? How can we raise creative kids in a hurried world? What can families do to reclaim time for joy and connection? Why does too much choice diminish a child's life? How does spending time outdoors make healthier, smarter children?
Parents, teachers, and daycare providers need look no further for the activity sourcebook that will keep their kids happy and busy for hours of fun. The Mudpies Activity Book offers creative fun with simple materials and little adult supervision.
The outdoors is one of the finest places for making childhood memories. Time spent out the back door is better than TV, better than computer games, and Go Outside! is filled with over 130 activities for outdoor adventures.
View it Big!
Open Site
