In Defense of Childhood Protecting Kids' Inner Wildness

by Mercogliano, Chris

• ISBN13: 9780807032879
• ISBN10: 0807032875
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-08-01
• Publisher: Beacon Press

Summary

The pressures of modern life are increasingly squeezing the adventure, the wonder, the physicality-the juice -out of children's lives. Virtually every arena of kids'experience is now subject to some form of outside control, and this is a serious threat to the unique spark that animates every child. Lamenting risk-averse parents, overstructured school days, and a lack of playtime and solitude, this book is a clear and compelling plea to save childhood. "Mercogliano is, in effect, a cultural therapist . . . a purveyor of hope." -Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia "With deep insight, Mercogliano shows . . . how we can help young people break through conventional restraints and pursue their passions. This is a beautiful, searching, and inspiring book." -William Crain, author of Reclaiming Childhood "A very strong and attractive book." -John Taylor Gatto, author of Dumbing Us Down "Mercogliano's book, full of insight, enthusiasm and hope, is as readable and practical as it is illuminating." -Publisher's Weekly

Author Biography

Chris Mercogliano has been a teacher at the Albany Free School since 1973 and codirector since 1985. His writing has appeared in numerous publications, and he is the author of Making It Up As We Go Along, and Teaching the Restless: One School's Remarkable No-Ritalin Approach to Helping Children Learn and Succeed. Mercogliano lives in Albany, New York.