Yes we took our daughter to Animal Kingdom recently and in fact stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and loved every second. We didn't go to Animal Kingdom looking for an authentic nature experience but rather to experience fantasy and imagination. It almost made me sad to read Kidd's essay
which drained the childhood excitement out of Disney. We mostly went to Disney for fun but there were also educational moments for sure. We also make sure to expose our daughter to nature at its purest. I attached some pictures of Nature's Playground which just opened in Westport. We had so much fun playing on the equipment made out of only things found in the open space of this park. Below you will find a photo of my daughter playing at the tea party made from slices of wood, a climbing apparatus from trees, and a play house from saplings. So I think it is important these days to expose our children/students to a healthy balance of nature and man made learning experiences.
which drained the childhood excitement out of Disney. We mostly went to Disney for fun but there were also educational moments for sure. We also make sure to expose our daughter to nature at its purest. I attached some pictures of Nature's Playground which just opened in Westport. We had so much fun playing on the equipment made out of only things found in the open space of this park. Below you will find a photo of my daughter playing at the tea party made from slices of wood, a climbing apparatus from trees, and a play house from saplings. So I think it is important these days to expose our children/students to a healthy balance of nature and man made learning experiences.
I completely agree with what you're saying about differentiating between make-believe and reality. However, I think the problem lies in the fact that many people aren't able to see that difference.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carrie, I was also a bit sad when reading Kidd's essay. He seemed to want to take a positive childhood experience and expose all the negatives. Can't children just enjoy something?
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think children should be able to enjoy the make-believe of it all. But Disney is also on that fine line of taking advantage of nature & its environment.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I love the pictures and your ability to connect your personal experience with the reading. The critical comments from your peers help us to see that there is more than one way to look at everything. As your daughter gets older she may develop her own critical stand on the issues and experiences she has been so lucky to be exposed to. I'm not sure there is such as thing as "pure nature." We are part of nature.
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