The Country School is an independent, coeducational, Pre-K through 8 school founded in 1934.
News
Value of Boredom
When the weather turns cold and gray, I like to think about summer. In my free time, I map out possible vacation destinations, and I think about what type of summer I would like my young children to have. I imagine I am not alone in practicing this cathartic exercise, and I know that many of you are starting already to book the various summer camps your children will attend.
So if you, like me, find yourself thinking about (read: longing for) summer months, I thought it apropos to share the following article about children and parenting entitled, “In Defense of Boredom: It Can Lead to Imaginative Play, Creativity and the Great Outdoors.”
The author, Richard Louv, makes a number of compelling points over the course of his brief article; and to be precise, when he celebrates boredom, he is talking about the importance of being bored and outside. After all, Mr. Louv is also the author of a powerful book entitled, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.
Mr. Louv argues that the appeal of electronics - be they tv, smartphones, or video games - is so strong that we as parents must intentionally schedule for our children times when they are unplugged. As parents, this step is somewhat obvious, which is why so many of us look to find meaningful, organized, activities for our children that are also free of screen time. However, Mr. Louv contends that we must go one step further: we must intentionally schedule time for activities that are both non-electronic and unstructured.
Specifically, he is talking about scheduling the type of childhood activities that often defined our own childhoods - going outside on your own and playing. I am quite certain that my own parents sent me outside to play not because they were trying to align themselves with the best practices of parenting; they sent me outside because my brother and I were driving them nuts. It is one of the odd realities of modern life that many of us need to set aside time for our children to be outside, unplugged, independent, and bored. For it is in this setting that they will create, problem solve, sweat, learn, play, connect, and thrive immersed in the beauty of their imaginations and the Eastern Shore.
Recent News
List of 5 news stories.
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Kindergarten Students Serving Others!
Kindergarteners have been participating in a 3 part HOHO (Helping Others; Helping Ourselves) project lead by Ferris and Laura Butler. Students packed boxes to be shipped to veterans and their families. The boxeswere filled with child friendly, donated items. Also in the boxes were handwritten letters from the students along with a handmade American flag craft. The Butlers carefully orchestrated this project, and we are very grateful for their time and efforts. -
Spring Athletic Award Winners
Congratulations to all our spring athletics award winners and to all our Cougar athletes who participated in sports and clubs! This spring, TCS offered Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse, Pickleball Club, Running Club, and Volleyball Club. Providing so many athletic opportunities took a village—thank you to our amazing coaches, volunteers, and parent drivers for making it all possible! And thank you to our students for setting an example of dedication and sportsmanship!Read More -
Summer Trips for Upper School Students in 2025
It is with great excitement that The Country School announces the addition of 2025 summer trips for our Upper School students!Read More -
The Country School Celebrates 90 Years and Installs Jay Parker
Read MoreThe Country School is proud to be celebrating its 90th school year. This milestone year also marks the beginning of a new chapter with the appointment of Jay Parker as the 7th Head of School. -
Conversation & Homecoming - Saturday, February 24, 2024
Read MoreThe Country School, Talbot County Free Library, and the Avalon Foundation, sponsors, join with fourteen other community organizations to present Conversation & Homecoming with Carole Boston Weatherford and her son, Jeffery Boston Weatherford, a program free and open to all.
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