Are we paying attention yet?

The Artdog Quote of the Week

We're heading into the Final Decade (or less) of last-minute chances to pull ourselves out of the (literal) fire. I hope we'll all take this idea that Every day needs to be Earth Day more to heart. The evidence is all around us, and too many of our fellow Earthlings are still in denial.

What can we do? First, educate ourselves. Learn what works, and what's just "green theater." Focus on small, consistent things you can do.

Look for ways to live without using plastic. Seek ways to advocate for change, whether it's petitioning a manufacturer to stop over-packaging in non-biodegradable materials, writing your legislators, or encouraging a friend to use recycling options nearby.

All of us can do something. All of us MUST do something. Or all of us will suffer more and more consequences.

IMAGE: I found this image (complete with its focus on the Americas) on the Tehran Times (seriously). I love the image, and I thank them for sharing! It really IS a global issue.

Banned! Too political, they said.

The Artdog Image of Interest

Normally when we think of a banned book or other communication, we assume it's considered pornographic or inflammatory. And of course we immediately become curious, if we're most people.

But . . . they banned a supermarket chain's Christmas ad, designed for children, as "too political" to broadcast in the UK.

Say what?

This week's Image of Interest is a video whose story kind of begs for me to pass it on. Yes, it's designed for kids, and yes, it does make a strong point. Whether or not that point is a dangerous or political point, I'll let you decide. It just might be the most adorable banned video you'll ever see.





You see, the point isn't about a political party or a politician. It doesn't consist of hate speech, and it's not inciting anyone to rise up in rebellion against the government. It's not attempting to inhibit any unalienable human rights.

It's about deforestation and habitat loss due to palm oil cultivation and production, and it's also about orangutans, topics I've addressed on this blog within recent months. What it does have the audacity to do is point out a problem that is widely acknowledged in scientific and environmental circles, and largely ignored or unknown by the general public.

I consider it my honor and privilege to spread this message as far as my humble little blog can spread it. It appears that lots of others feel the same way I did. The world's caring people need to learn about, and pay more attention to this problem, before all the Pongo Faces are gone forever.

IMAGE/VIDEO: Many thanks to Iceland Foods, Greenpeace, Australia's The New Daily, and YouTube, for access to this banned video.

Happy Earth Day!

IMAGE: Many thanks to "Green Heart at Work" for this "Make every day Earth Day!" design image.

"When I am big . . . "

The Artdog Quote of the Week

A person could (people have and do) write many books about the value of outdoor play, the things children learn from it, and the reasons why "nature deficit disorder" really is a serious matter. We can't save what we don't value, but there are so very many reasons why we should and must value our natural environment, and cherish the many lessons nature teaches.

IMAGE: Many thanks to How Wee Learn on Pinterest, for this image. The board from which this was taken is loaded with other cool thoughts and ideas about teaching our children, too!

The balancing act: keeping them safe

The Artdog Image of Interest

As a parent, I know that delicate balance between letting kids explore and keeping them safe. It can be a dangerous world. A responsible parent can't disregard the hazards, even as we gradually expand kids' boundaries.

Playing in nature definitely presents a list of potential hazards, from sunburn to tick-borne illnesses (a particularly knotty problem this year!), animal bites, falls . . . a worried parent could go mad. I believe it's important to remember that our primary job as parents is to render ourselves unnecessary--to rear independent persons who are as healthy and well-adjusted as possible, equipped with the skills and judgment needed to succeed as fully-functioning adults.

But achieving that goal requires that they stay alive long enough to become adults.

So, where do we draw the line? And how do we adjust appropriately--because that line always keeps changing! Developmental stages flash by so fast, we have to work, to stay on top of "what's developmentally appropriate today?" I managed (with a lot of help) to shepherd two reasonably-functional human beings into adulthood, and for me the key always seemed to be information.

I have yet to meet the child who responds positively to "because I say so!" And they're RIGHT. That's an extremely unhelpful answer.

As appropriate for the developmental level, I always tried to take the time to explain to the child why certain restrictions had to apply, if I possibly could. Granted, sometimes there's no time. But that meant we needed a follow-up conversation. I discovered even the youngest child has the capability to be a rational human being (to the extent that someone can be, at any given stage of development). If we want them to grow into that capability as adults, we must treat them accordingly when they're kids.

As appropriate for their age, that means teaching kids how to prevent their own bad outcomes (wear sunscreen and bug repellent; know basic safety principles about approaching animals or walking on rotten branches or uneven terrain). They may ignore it, but at least they'll know why it happened, if they do.

It helps to remember the favorite saying of a friend of mine: "Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment." Giving them wide enough boundaries to explore and "push their envelope" means sometimes there'll be unfortunate results. That's why it's just as important to teach them what do do if something does happen. There's no emergency situation that can't be made worse by the victim's panic! The goal is not to terrify them, but to empower them.

It isn't easy, but it's worth the effort.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Citypages (Minneapolis, MN) for this image! (no info available, on who's the photographer).

A most important event

The Artdog Quote of the Week

Engaging kids with the natural world is serious business--but don't tell them that! Kids interact with nature in the way they do everything: with imagination and curiosity. Also, I'd like to hope, with spontaneous joy.

Getting kids out into the natural world is a matter of enormous importance--they won't save what they don't value--but we must couch it in children's native language, which is that of play.

IMAGE: Many thanks to the Natural Healthcare Store, for this image, which shares a page with some other great kids-and-nature quotes in the source.

How to tell it's been a good day

The Artdog Quote of the Week

Do you remember feeling this way as a kid? Please make sure the children in your life get to have this same kind of wonderful feeling! They won't save what they don't value, and the stakes get higher every year.

IMAGE: Many thanks to the Children and Nature Network's Facebook page, for this image.

Laying sound groundwork

The Artdog Quote of the week 

Last month's Quotes of the Week centered on climate change and the denial thereof. This month's Quotes turn to the related topic of teaching children (and their parents) the important things that the natural world can tell us. As today's quote points out, we won't save what we don't value. Summer beckons. Let us make the most of it!

IMAGE: Many thanks to Dona Matthews and her wonderful blog post essay about the value of taking kids outdoors to learn.