Quote from the news: Tools for kids

From today's New York Times, about girls at Gadget Camp:

“Not letting your children learn the hands-on component of the theory of science is killing us as a nation,” Ms. Sharris said. “You have to stop giving kids books and start giving them tools.” (source)

 I agree.  Is is nothing bad with books, not at all, but when books replace the real things like carving a stick with a knife, make and tend a fire, drill a hole, cut a plank, fill up a gas tank, and dig a hole, then kids get lost.  We need books and tools.  And skills.  Reading a book is just one skill.  If you can do all the things listed above, then you have six more life skills and you will also be more confident and independent.