connecting kids to nature

World Wildlife Day, Kids and Nature: Connect to Protect

March 3, 2015 by Amy Jussel Leave a Comment

March 3, 2015 It’s World Wildlife Day... And opportunity awaits.Can we bring kids closer to nature online in order to get them out IN nature offline?Is empathy and stewardship obtainable through a mediated screen?How do we get beyond caring through "clicktivism" and implore kids to experience the majesty of wildlife in boots on the ground hike-n-help style with all the health … [Read more...]

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Guardian Princesses: Prosocial Planet Protectors?

September 1, 2014 by Amy Jussel 5 Comments

Sept. 1, 2014 I admit, my first reaction to The Guardian Princesses was wince-worthy...“Oh please, NOT more freakin’ princesses!”Followed by, “Here we go with the chocolate covered broccoli bit embedding a stealth health “better for you” media message into the junk food genre of princess pablum.” Finally, I settled into a more measured,“Well, if they're upending kid lit to … [Read more...]

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Nat’l Wildlife Federation’s Ubooly Toy Deal + New Digital Kids Report

January 3, 2014 by Amy Jussel Leave a Comment

Jan. 2, 2014 From the amazing Explore.org livestream media and National Geographic critter cams to the gaming immersion into the world of wildlife via Animal Jam I’ve been thinking a lot about the co-existence of nature and kid’s digital media lately.So much so, that I’d like your views on this broad-based statement:“Technology Brings Us Closer Than Ever to Wildlife” Agree or … [Read more...]

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Archery: Using Media To Get Kids Outside, Into STEM, and More

January 2, 2014 by Amy Jussel 6 Comments

Aug. 20, 2016 Update Adding this report on the acceleration of archery as a sport for young girls, from the resource rich data gleaned from the fabulous Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Also loved how STEM and physics entered into the 2016 Rio Olympics special interest stories, even the sponsored ones like the science of swimming via Twitter hashtag … [Read more...]

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Media Netiquette + Some Great Nature Apps In A Totally Wired World

March 13, 2013 by Amy Jussel Leave a Comment

July 26, 2015 Update: Adding Washington Parent's list: Nature Apps, Life Beyond the Screen and DailyTekk.com's iPhone app specific picks for enjoying the outdoors, plus Mother Nature Network's "7 Apps to Help You Get the Most Out of Nature" to Shaping Youth's links and positive picks below. Have more favorites? Lob them into the comments section, please! Nov. 8, 2014 Update How … [Read more...]

Filed Under: EcoKids-Environment, Emerging trends & STEM, Media Literacy, Mobile Media, Apps & Gaming, Positive Picks, Pro-Social & Positive Picks, Shaping Youth Tagged With: 21st century thank yous, Amy-Jussel, Animal Jam, cellphones, Children and Nature, children and nature network, connected, connecting kids to nature, Digital Detox, Digital era redefining netiquette, Discover the forest, Earth-Awareness, fitness activity trackers, hiking apps, Kids-Nature, media netiquette, Media Unplugged, mobile thanks, mother nature network, National Wildlife Week, nature and wildlife apps for kids, nature apps, Nature Rocks, nature sanctuary, nature trail etiquette, Nature-Deficit-Disorder, NCLI, Nick Bilton, NPS, quantified self, reconnecting with nature, Rich Louv, sciSpy, Screen Free Week, Sharing Nature with Children, SMS Text, Texting-Tweens-Teens, trees, Trekaroo, unplug to reconnect, Unplug Your Kids, wifi in National Parks