Comments on: Children’s Experience of Place http://maggie-jackson.com/blog/2010/03/04/childrens-experience-of-place/ Just another WordPress site Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:09:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: JP http://maggie-jackson.com/blog/2010/03/04/childrens-experience-of-place/#comment-24 JP Sun, 06 Feb 2011 22:05:28 +0000 http://maggie-jackson.com/blog/?p=28#comment-24 Kids' relationship to the outdoors is not only shaped by irrational phobias of elders and betters to protect them from real (or often) imagined boogeymen. It is also a byproduct of the way we, in our great foolishness, have shaped where we live. I'm sure 100 years ago, living arrangements were not intentionally shaped with the health and happiness of kids in mind, it just happened to work out that way. Our communities were walkable because they had to be - for adults, as well as kids. And our communities were full of endless habitats that kids could explore and enjoy safely (otherwise they wouldn't have survived.) In the past 4 decades, we have systematically taken these habitats apart - rebuilding in the modern fashion, and so destroying what was child-friendly - or, built entire new communties that are sometimes even worse. Approximately 70% of the North American population lives in suburbia. By definition, this environment is car-friendly. Very. But kids don't drive. So that "Honey, for the sake of the kids" thing just doesn't quite wash. Perhaps, had more adults followed kids around such as Mr. Hart did (with benign, and not evil intent) we might have placed more forethought on how to design our communities, in order to provide our children with something so basic to their health and well-being, and growth of their self-secure understanding of where they live. After all, in due time they inherit the earth. Kids’ relationship to the outdoors is not only shaped by irrational phobias of elders and betters to protect them from real (or often) imagined boogeymen.
It is also a byproduct of the way we, in our great foolishness, have shaped where we live.

I’m sure 100 years ago, living arrangements were not intentionally shaped with the health and happiness of kids in mind, it just happened to work out that way. Our communities were walkable because they had to be – for adults, as well as kids. And our communities were full of endless habitats that kids could explore and enjoy safely (otherwise they wouldn’t have survived.)

In the past 4 decades, we have systematically taken these habitats apart – rebuilding in the modern fashion, and so destroying what was child-friendly – or, built entire new communties that are sometimes even worse.

Approximately 70% of the North American population lives in suburbia. By definition, this environment is car-friendly. Very.
But kids don’t drive.

So that “Honey, for the sake of the kids” thing just doesn’t quite wash.

Perhaps, had more adults followed kids around such as Mr. Hart did (with benign, and not evil intent) we might have placed more forethought on how to design our communities, in order to provide our children with something so basic to their health and well-being, and growth of their self-secure understanding of where they live. After all, in due time they inherit the earth.

]]> By: LB http://maggie-jackson.com/blog/2010/03/04/childrens-experience-of-place/#comment-23 LB Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:19:20 +0000 http://maggie-jackson.com/blog/?p=28#comment-23 Fascinating observations. Kids can't play catch with a digital dad online. Young or old, nursing an online existence can cause us to depreciate. We cannot afford to lose touch with the physical connections waiting outside to liberate us again. Your work serves great purpose. I recently referred to "Distracted" in some of my own observations. Feel free to read: <a href="http://thelbtip.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/shifts-in-fortitude/" rel="nofollow">Shifts in Fortitude</a> Looking forward to hearing more about those unpublished titles. Fascinating observations. Kids can’t play catch with a digital dad online. Young or old, nursing an online existence can cause us to depreciate. We cannot afford to lose touch with the physical connections waiting outside to liberate us again.

Your work serves great purpose. I recently referred to “Distracted” in some of my own observations. Feel free to read:

Shifts in Fortitude

Looking forward to hearing more about those unpublished titles.

]]> By: Liz http://maggie-jackson.com/blog/2010/03/04/childrens-experience-of-place/#comment-22 Liz Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:13:26 +0000 http://maggie-jackson.com/blog/?p=28#comment-22 Loved your post and learning about Roger Hart's Children's Experience of Place. Our teenage sons still gripe and groan on weekends that their screen time (TV, video games, laptop) happens only after they've spent time outside. They rebel under their breath and cast us dirty looks as they reluctantly head outside for at least an hour. Our oldest lands on a patio chair sulking while the youngest tries his best to look dejected. Sometimes I'm overcome with guilt and think of Joan Crawford, but after awhile out of the blue magic happens. They spot a hawk after its prey or a potato bug on its back, their cats join them and they end up wrestling in between bouts of laughter. Without fail they lay on their backs and follow the clouds, their cats purr on their stomach until they fall asleep or grab a soccer ball. Then they're kicking it around until they collapse. Sometimes they just stare or sleep, but they seem content and are more talkative, which is just not the case after even one hour of video games. Balance is key, but a challenge to maintain! Loved your post and learning about Roger Hart’s Children’s Experience of Place. Our teenage sons still gripe and groan on weekends that their screen time (TV, video games, laptop) happens only after they’ve spent time outside. They rebel under their breath and cast us dirty looks as they reluctantly head outside for at least an hour. Our oldest lands on a patio chair sulking while the youngest tries his best to look dejected. Sometimes I’m overcome with guilt and think of Joan Crawford, but after awhile out of the blue magic happens. They spot a hawk after its prey or a potato bug on its back, their cats join them and they end up wrestling in between bouts of laughter. Without fail they lay on their backs and follow the clouds, their cats purr on their stomach until they fall asleep or grab a soccer ball. Then they’re kicking it around until they collapse. Sometimes they just stare or sleep, but they seem content and are more talkative, which is just not the case after even one hour of video games. Balance is key, but a challenge to maintain!

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