Beyond the
textbooks is a world of knowledge waiting to be discovered.
textbooks is a world of knowledge waiting to be discovered.
Originally published Oct 21, 2011 by Sheri Smith
Updated Jan 21, 2019
Fresh air.
Playing with siblings and friends. Freedom to be kids and to be silly.
Playing with siblings and friends. Freedom to be kids and to be silly.
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| Capitol Reef National Park Utah |
Remember your
times on the playground and running outdoors? Think back to the moments when
you had no worries and could run with innocence and ignorance, the good kind.
times on the playground and running outdoors? Think back to the moments when
you had no worries and could run with innocence and ignorance, the good kind.
I do believe some
book work is necessary but to get so textbook bound and miss out on the
educational opportunities that are put all around us is a shame. Our kids
will learn from their books, but they can also learn just as much from the
experiences to be had in the woods nearby or the back yard.
book work is necessary but to get so textbook bound and miss out on the
educational opportunities that are put all around us is a shame. Our kids
will learn from their books, but they can also learn just as much from the
experiences to be had in the woods nearby or the back yard.
I hear stories of
children who sit behind a desk all day and then spend the evening being
shuttled from activity to activity. That night the family might have a
moment together – or they might not.
children who sit behind a desk all day and then spend the evening being
shuttled from activity to activity. That night the family might have a
moment together – or they might not.
I’m not sure if
this is your family or not but I do think we all have a
responsibility to examine our schedules and decide what is truly best for our
children and our family.
this is your family or not but I do think we all have a
responsibility to examine our schedules and decide what is truly best for our
children and our family.
To sacrifice the
entire family for one person’s hobby is selfish in my eyes. I teach my
children to think of others in all the plans they make. Every decision
effects someone else. Sometimes that sacrifice is acceptable and other
times not.
entire family for one person’s hobby is selfish in my eyes. I teach my
children to think of others in all the plans they make. Every decision
effects someone else. Sometimes that sacrifice is acceptable and other
times not.
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| Family picnic in the mountains of central Utah |
Teaching a team
vision in a child’s life is important at a young age and even more so as an
adult. We must all think of the “team” and not just our own
personal desires. Team spirit is taught better in the home than on a
sports field. Our family will always be with us whether it be parents and
siblings or eventually a spouse and children. Teaching our children to
think of the family as a team and to make decision based on what is best for
the team is critical to a good marriage and a happy home.
We must not think
that suddenly our children will “get it” when they are older.
This family team spirit must be taught and lived from a young age.
that suddenly our children will “get it” when they are older.
This family team spirit must be taught and lived from a young age.
But, back to the
title of this article – Get outside. Getting too busy with activities and
not having enough time for outdoor play or free time is tragic in these little
people’s lives. I want my children to be children. They need fresh
air, exercise, and adventure which can all be had in a back yard, playground,
or get crazy like us and head to a National Park or the nearest mountain!
title of this article – Get outside. Getting too busy with activities and
not having enough time for outdoor play or free time is tragic in these little
people’s lives. I want my children to be children. They need fresh
air, exercise, and adventure which can all be had in a back yard, playground,
or get crazy like us and head to a National Park or the nearest mountain!
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| Sand dune adventures in the badlands of South Dakota |
What about the
school of fun? What about the school of laughter? What about the
school of sunshine?
Don’t throw out
your books or not do the studies, I am just suggesting a balance in schedules
and priorities. Make the outdoors a priority and do it as a family when
you can.
your books or not do the studies, I am just suggesting a balance in schedules
and priorities. Make the outdoors a priority and do it as a family when
you can.
Have a great day
and enjoy yourself! Smile. Laugh. Love.
and enjoy yourself! Smile. Laugh. Love.
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| Kayaking in Key Largo, Florida |
The Lemonade Digest 