| I can still hear the sound of red-winged
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| | which offers a wide variety of classes,
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| blackbirds singing as i pulled my rusty
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| | camps, and lessons for children. These
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| old wagon down the path to the woods.
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| | are generally terrific programs where
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| When I got to "my" crabapple tree I would
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| | children learn new skills, make new
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| unpack my wagon... a ragged blanket to
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| | friends, and gain confidence. The
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| cover the thistles, three or four of my
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| | difficult thing for us, as parents, is to
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| best pals (dolls and teddies), a stack of
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| | make choices, and be sure to include as
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| books, and a plastic jug of Kool-Aid. And
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| | one of our primary activities, "down
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| then I was set for the afternoon. I could
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| | time."
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| talk and pretend with my dolls until it
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| | "Down time" is for just playing,
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| was time to pack up the wagon and head
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| | hanging-out, dreaming, imagining,
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| home for supper.
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| | tinkering, and thinking. It is during
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| That was really summer. With a loose
| |
| | this time that kids think of new ideas,
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| schedule, those days were my time. In a
| |
| | as well as figure out things about
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| recent FAMILY IMPACT survey, children
| |
| | themselves and their abilities. Fields
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| from ages 4 to 15 were asked, "What would
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| | must lie fallow for certain periods, and
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| you like to do this summer?" The
| |
| | so must children. Down time results in
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| overwhelming response was, "PLAY!" Not
| |
| | richer development later on.
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| one child requested more lessons, or
| |
| | Here are a few of my favorite "down time"
|
| structured time. It is also surprising
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| | memories:
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| that less than 5% mentioned any kind of a
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| | - Dandelion stems curling in cold water.
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| major trip or outing. Over and over what
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| | - Pictures drawn in the dirt with a
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| the children want to do is play: play
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| | stick.
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| with friends, ride bike, shoot hoops, fly
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| | - A tent made from a rope tied between 2
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| a kite, go swimming, etc.
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| | trees and an old blanket.
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| We are so fortunate to live in a culture
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| | - Hopscotch.
|
