NatGeo

Growing up in the midwest pre-internet, National Geographic offered the first glimpses of the wide, wide world. Those hours flipping through the yellow bound NatGeo mags nurtured a rich sense of learning and inquiry and early dreams of travel and adventure.

The Land is proud to be included in their Short Film Showcase for a new generation of learners, travelers and more. 

In their words: The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors. We look for work that affirms National Geographic's belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world... more!

Play on!

The Katie Show

And thank you, of course to Katie Couric!  It is such an honor to be on the show and share the story of The Land.  Have a great week, all!

Edutopia's 5-Minute Film Fest

A big thanks to Edutopia for including us in their 5 Minute Film Fest: Encouraging Kids to Get Outdoors!  The Importance of Playing with Fire (Literally) is lined up with eight wonderful pro-child videos including Project Wild Thing and the one and only Sesame Street:

If you're watching videos with your preschooler and would like to do so in a safe, child-friendly environment, please join us at http://www.sesamestreet.org Jason Mraz sings about the outdoors. Sesame Street is a production of Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization which also produces Pinky Dinky Doo, The Electric Company, and other programs for children around the world.

We are officially one degree of separation from ELMO, wee!!

Play on. x

The Guardian

"Is it madness, or a model for the future?" Cast your vote by sharing the story with teachers, parks departments and advocates in your community. 

PBS News Hour

As seen on the PBS News Hour - Judy Woodruff speaks with Hanna Rosin, author of The Overprotected Kid, about the benefits of risk in play and features our footage of The Land! 

Hello, Denver!

A special thanks to reporter Madeline Schroeder for sharing the ideas of adventure play with her 30,000 readers in the Front Porch Stapleton.  

I want to give credit to author Jay Griffiths whose idea I referenced when I spoke about children being free spirits, drawn to adventuresome characters like performers and cowboys. Jay writes about this in her incredible book Kith: The Riddle of the Childscape which I evangelize at every opportunity.  

In thinking about this idea, I'd like to add Harry Potter to the list of magic-infused, inspiring risk-takers.  Who else do children admire and mimic in their imaginative play?  Sports heroes... who else? 

The Atlantic

Thanks to everyone who viewed and shared the clip and Q & A at The Atlantic.com making it one of their most watched videos.  We continue to get daily emails from around the world from teachers, parents and advocates wanting to learn more and see the film.  We can't wait to share later this year.  Play on!

CBC Radio: The Current

Make time to hear this 25 minute segment about play on CBC Radio's latest episode of The Current.  It's an honor to be included in the conversation about play alongside some incredible voices:

• Bruce McLachlin, the New Zealand principal who banned rules on his playground, resulting in decreased bullying. 
• A pre-school teacher with a hammer and nails offering in her classroom & 
• Roger Hart on anarchy as self governance among children and more.

It's a great conversation starter if you're advocating for play.

Link not working?  Google: " CBC Freedom to be a kid " 

P.S. Link not working?  Google: " CBC Freedom to be a kid " 

P.P.S. A note of clarification: children at The Land are not "encouraged to play with sharp tools and run around with pointy sticks."  They do, however, have permission to use tools and other objects including paint, bikes, tires & palettes etc., as they wish.  Safety is a high priority at The Land.  However, an important distinction is made: safety involves removing hazards.  It doesn't involve removing risk.