Book Nook: Changing the World Through Children

Author Ruth Dutting Witte recently published her comprehensive early-childhood care and education guide, "Changing the World Through Children".  In the book, Witte provides parents and teachers with a new approach to raising kinder, more confident, supportive, and sustainable children in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world. She also shares her experience organizing and founding a grassroots organization aimed at fostering young children’s creativity, cognitive abilities, and connection to nature through gardening, art, and social and mental exercises.

Ultimately, “Changing the World Through Children” is a gentle, step-by-step approach to shifting a tiny piece of the world into a less competitive, more accepting and nurturing environment where each person can meet their best potential and has a stake in helping others do the same.

I had a chance to interview her to learn more.

Why is it important for parents to work on raising children that are focused on being kind and working together? 

Because this is the only way we are going to overcome the cruelty and disregard that has come to threaten humanity.  We have to teach kids to accept and respect and work with one another to make the most of 

our gifts and foibles.  We all have them, can discover what they are,  

and can complement one another.   We can help with what we are good at in ways that others can help with the things we are not so good at.  

This crosses all lines.  Helping, and standing up for good. Being kind.  And knowing that someone cares enough to be kind can mean everything.

Are there times when competition can be a good thing? 

Competition can be good when working with others toward a goal; we lift each other up when we work as a team. But really, we need to be in competition only with our best selves and stop comparing ourselves in negative ways to or think we are better than those around us. We're all awesome!

When is competitiveness problematic? 

When it creates a hierarchy of most/least: reader, puzzle maker, artist, builder, athlete (Me! Me!), musician, humanist, bigot, …

Everybody is good at something and we all need the help of each other, whether to learn about something or just to do it.  Kids have an  easier time understanding this than many adults do.   And certainly,  they and those around them are much happier as a result. So more than compete, we need to share and teach.  We help those who need our help and ask for help when needed.

Why is it so important for caregivers to foster creativity and connection to nature? 

Short answer: Because nature and creativity are connected with soul and all are critical to the survival of each other.