I received an email invitation to pre-order the book pictured above with the title Leave No Child Inside. It is riffing on the Leave No Child Behind act signed into law for the education system in the United States back in 2001. I hope and pray that the notion of giving every child a meaningful education and awareness of the outdoors is more successful than LNCB. From what I can see this collection of essays has gathered the thoughts and actions of some of the best writers in this important field (no pun intended.) One of them, Richard Louv, wrote the best-selling book Last Child in the Woods This new book does intrigue me:
“If we were to create communities and schools that educate children and youth to love the earth, know their place in the web of life, and act responsibly, what would they look like?” —Louise Chawla, from the Foreword
Nearly every environmental change-maker in history was shaped by a strong connection to the particular place or landscape he or she called home. But many children today are glued to screens or stuck prepping for another standardized exam, while nature education and unstructured time outdoors have fallen by the wayside. If children are not given opportunities to connect with the natural world, who will be the stewards of the future?
So many eco-theologians, those I deeply admire for their intellectual rigour, take the opportunity to share with the reader their connection with creation which was nurtured in childhood. Often they were allowed to ramble and explore with abandon. Today their parents would surely be charged with neglect. Instead they learned to love the planet in all its glory. They grew up to consider the theological foundations of that love, but many of them still splash and root around and explore.
What do you think about this book? Does it scare you as a parent? Did you explore as a child? How about today?
My husband, our dog, and I go hiking (or canoeing) every chance we get. Over the last several years we began taking a camera along, and gradually we found ourselves drawn into photography. We've always been drawn to the natural world, but photography has taken it to a whole new level- an intensity of engagement and interaction where absolutely nothing is delineated as merely background. In a sense, it has brought the natural world into an even sharper focus that we find invigorating. Recently, we took photos of chipmunks and birds we were hand feeding and we were surprised that our adult son worried about us. While we were exclaiming joy at the great shots of chickadees and chipmunks eating out of our hands, he was thinking about rabies. A couple of weeks back our canoe got stuck on a log, while we were photographing Great Blue Herons. We won’t tell him. We would be greatly saddened if ,when we have grandchildren, we couldn’t bring them along. The two books you mention may be gifts to my son when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you Lori. Would you say you have become a rabid outdoors couple? Okay, "avid" might do. I saw an article recently about a young woman who accidentally fell off her balcony to her death in New York City. The author knew her and it was a reflection on the dangers of urban settings which folk navigate daily. Many people are terrified of the woods and water when they are probably at much greater risk on the 401. I agree, these two books would be excellent gifts.
ReplyDeleteThe world around us - and beyond our limits - is full of all kinds of wonder - even in retirement , I don't have enough time to explore it and learn about it !
ReplyDeleteWe are definitely an outdoorsy couple. We live for it. I actually knew someone who passed away after falling out of bed. Safety precautions are important, but can only go so far in guaranteeing how safe we are at ANY given moment.
ReplyDeleteWow. I'm pondering dying after falling out of bed. I sure hope they were having fun at the time, but I doubt it.
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