International News
Media & Culture
(Glasgow) Herald – July 21, 2008
A UK Perspective on Computers and Outdoor Play
By Ron Ferguson
Concerns that children today lack sufficient opportunities to play freely outdoors are not limited to the United States. In the UK, more than half of parents surveyed believe that children now are being deprived of childhood. And as Scottish journalist Ron Ferguson argues, thinking that these children are safer indoors on the their computers than outdoors playing amongst themselves may be a mistake.
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Education
Ross-shire Journal – June 05, 2008
Free Play Gets a Boost in Scotland
Advocates for unstructured play are celebrating the opening of a new play area in the Scottish Highlands. Funded in part by the local government, the play area, which is part of a primary school, was designed to encourage children to use their imaginations. In addition to a set of extra-large dominoes, an obstacle course that children can build themselves, and a special area for water play, there is a quiet area where children can sit on oversized outdoor cushions surrounded by flower and vegetable tubs. [+]
Campaign/Initiative
24dash.com – January 15, 2008
Children’s Nature Week in England
By Sheila Murray
Further evidence of the children and nature movement’s international reach can be found in southeastern England, where the Three Rivers Local Council is organizing activities for Children’s Nature Week. Now in its fourth year, the event will be held February 11-15 and include a guided wildlife tour and outdoor arts and crafts.
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Media & Culture | Resource
YouTube – December 06, 2007
Film Captures Last Children in the Woods
By Enting Films
A sobering short film from the Netherlands shows noted environmentalist and author Thomas van Slobbe on the trail of an endangered species: children playing outdoors. Shot in the style of a traditional nature documentary, this darkly comic piece imagines a not-too-distant future when children never venture outdoors. The film can be viewed in its entirety on YouTube.
Health
Sunday Herald – December 02, 2007
Children in Scotland Not So Different from Their US Counterparts
By Kate Smith
Scottish society, like ours, has become more urbanized and sedentary, and encouraging children to explore nature and the outdoors, according to journalist Kate Smith, will be necessary if the Scottish want to assure that their young are “happier, healthier, and more savvy.”
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Health
Daily News & Analysis, Mumbai – October 24, 2007
Do not starve the children of nature
By Leonie Maistre
According to writer Leonie Maistre, children in India are losing their ability to appreciate nature. Maistre observed her pupils during a recent nature-park outing, and clearly sees the link between daily bombardments of commercialism and a declining sense of imagination in the children. There's no longer room in their lives for animals, calm and silence.
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C&NN has designated April "Children & Nature Awareness Month." As part of this effort, we invited network members (like you) to list their April programs and share their strategies for building public awareness. Find out what's happening in your community on the C&NN Movement Map.
As part of our ongoing efforts to build the movement, the Children & Nature Network has published two new resources for leaders, organizers, and participants at the local, national, and international levels:
An annotated bibliography of 20 premier studies focusing on the children and nature connection.
