Ever since I was young I have been those people who pursued people in the fringes and margins of the food chain. The ones who society easily overlooks in the hum drum of life. Maybe its because growing up I was always that shy, introverted girl who barely wanted to take up space and always felt in the “fringes” of the cool gang. In this work around screens and kids, I am always thinking about those in by societies definition – in low socio-economic circles. Those who do not have access to the tools, education and resources that parents in Silicon Valley have to send their kids to Waldorf and Forest schools. The ones who have not received the research and data that their kids brains on excess screen time daily lights up in the same pathways that light up when one is using substances like coccaine and meth. The ones who are single parents who have to commute from one job to the next to put food on the table. Who barely have time to make dinner let alone take the kids out for “nature walks.”
I chose to use this phrase, “No child left inside,” as a parody to the 2000s government legislature on No child left behind. The idea that every child should have access to basic education; how about if we have a paradigm shift and change it to the idea that ALL children should have access to nature and the outdoors. In urban settings when you think of high-rise apartment complexes, kids have minimal access to the outdoors, and the closest playground is paved with asphalt and structured play structures. I will write about play ad adventure playgrounds soon. Nature is an antidote to screentime yall. Nature is one of the things that can save us from the ubiquitous use of nature. Because she is the only one who is ubiquitous herself. You just need to step outside and let mother nature take over. She is an educator, a friend, a companion. So lets do the work, knock on the doors that need to be knocked on. Because no child should be left inside to their own devices – no pun š