What a tough time to be a kid right now. Every young person I talk to seems to carry an emotional weight that’s new since covid. Climate change was getting to be very heavy among the youth aware of it, but it was still possible to ignore if you really wanted to. And lots of folks in the South were still in that frame of mind.
Covid is sure different. Ignoring it exposes you to potential death within the month. Pictures of babies online struggling with their masks brings tears to my eyes. And the way schools are floundering – no offense folks… most of us feel for what you’re up against, but floundering kind of describes it – with how to educate the next generation without ever being in the same room. This is a monumental trial that has yet to be resolved. God bless you in the task.
Since I’m excited by the potential of networks to help people solve complex problems, and since the outdoors has become a safer space all of a sudden, this story of a collaborative network that spent 18 years transforming Boston’s schoolyards into learning gardens of play caught my attention.
Clearly when these photos were taken social distancing wasn’t in anybody’s mind. But the concept of spaces designed for outdoor learning was a dream in the minds of a few Bostonians. They developed a collaboration with the school district, the city, thousands of teachers, landscape designers and a bunch of others to make some pretty awesome learning places for the children of their communities.
This case study is totally inspiring. Please read it. This year the virus trauma may be too raw to envision an outdoor world of learning. But the potential is mind-boggling. Youth today need a glimmer of a vision for some positive future right now. Just to ponder the potential like this opens up space for delight that may carry us through a rough school year.
Could there come a day when Arkansas children learn science, math, art, music, great literature, and all in an outdoor classroom where they’re also learning to love and appreciate the great mamma earth that nurtures us all with life and breath and joyful connection even from six feet away?
Good morning Gladys, this is your daughter again testing the comment box:)
I love this article/interview and shared it with Kalo. You and I were talking about hopeful things in education yesterday on the phone and I just know Kalo could design some awesome outdoor learning environments. Love, Heather