Let Them Climb Trees

This article from today's Guardian really struck a chord with Grey Granite .  Her own experience  during 36 years in education suggests that children, when introduced to the natural world, are extremely receptive and respectful of the environment, connecting with it in a meaningful way and developing self esteem and confidence as their knowledge grows. She feels that Curriculum for Excellence provides an opportunity to enable youngsters to connect with their environment and commends Eco Schools as a means of achieving this.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/05/nature-deficit-disorder-richard-louv

Grey Granite has to acknowledge that her own life long values and interests were shaped by being allowed, from the age of about 10, to wander about the countryside in Lancashire  and along her beloved Rosehearty Wastart  alone with a succession of small dogs for company. A day in which she does not have opportunity to wander about  observing nature and existing inside her own head is a day wasted for Grey Granite. A succesion of such days  threatens her well being. For Grey Granite her dog, particularly the intrepid Rufus,  provides the perfect walking companion and facilitator for her preferred life style. Perhaps this is a residue of being an only child.