Quote of the Week: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Being outside with your kids are some of the greatest family moments.  So much can be experienced and seen through the beauties of nature and the exertion of outdoor athletics.  One of largest benefits is the bond a family can make together through shared wonder.  Talking with your kids about such moments can be a bit more difficult.  As children grow, those communications tend to get even more frazzled.  I can remember the awkward attempts my parents had whenever an important conversation was supposed to be taking place.  Now, as a parent, I can feel my own insecurities mount whenever I am posed with explaining a difficult or complex topic.  “You’ll understand when you are older” might be an easy out, but it doesn’t really help create much of a connection.

In the interests of helping along those great conversations, each Friday another nature quote or poem will be posted as a spring board for discussions with your young outdoors people.  The idea is to read and discuss the words on an outdoor adventure while you right in the thick of things.  Don’t worry about your child’s age – the phrase “out of the mouths of babes” didn’t become cliché for nothing. Don’t worry about right answers – there aren’t any.  Most importantly, express yourself and your love of the natural world.  You might just be amazed at what those young, curious minds are thinking!

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

Questions to Help

Here are some questions to help get those great conversations started.  You might want to think over the answers yourself prior to your discussion as a way to fuel it along or find some kid friendly language to fit all those grand thoughts into.  Remember to let your young ones talk and try to explain in their own language.

What do you think it means?

How does it make you feel?  Why?

Do you like it?  Why or Why not?

What was your favorite part?

Are there any words you didn't understand?

What was your favorite word?

What does this poem have to do with where we are and what we are doing right now?

Drop a comment to let us know some of your kid's amazing thoughts and answers!