I Drum Therefore I Am… …Intelligent: Drumming is found to improve concentration and focus.  Also, studies reveal that playing percussion instruments strengthen children’s math and literacy skills. …Physically and Mentally Active: Drumming increases your heart rate and blood flow.  It also stimulates the left and right side of the brain simultaneously. …Connected to the Earth:

Central Ohio developed this “LNCI Ambassador Toolkit” on their website to give you all of the resources you need to have productive conversations with the people and institutions in your circle of influence. (Your school, place of worship, workplace, parents you know, clubs, etc.) See this great resource here: http://kidsandnature.org/blog/?page_id=1874

The Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) December 10, 2012 in Dayton, Ohio Presented by Donna Videto The Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) can help school districts, schools, and others conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of health education curricula based on the National Health Education Standards and CDC’s Characteristics of an Effective Health Education Curriculum.

With the help of many partners, The Nature Conservancy in Ohio launched an exciting promotion called Natural Treasures of Ohio that is aimed at encouraging Ohio families to get outside this summer and explore the state’s many wonderful natural areas.  The grand prize is a Honda Insight Hybrid, and secondary prizes include five $500 gift

Last summer I attended Language of Nature: Reading the Earth workshop, and loved it. Educators, naturalist and writers came together to learn more about nature and writing. The food was excellent! The group was really fun. I highly recommend it! A unique opportunity: Language of Nature: Reading the Earth 2012, a hands-on, exploratory, week-long workshop

The White House Summit on Environmental Education was on April 16. Richard Louv and Rep. John Sarbanes (MD), who sponsored the original NCLI Act in 2009, were speakers along with a panel of National Park Service & EPA members, discussing collaborative efforts to get kids and families outside.

It is clear that the health and well-being of Ohio’s children, like that of children across the nation, is at serious risk. It is also clear that most children today are disconnected from the experiences in the natural world that so effectively built healthy bodies, encouraged creativity and a sense of wonder, relieved stress, facilitated