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“Time in nature is not leisure time; it's an essential investment in our children's health (and also, by the way, in our own).” Richard Louv
What is Nature Deficit Disorder?A lack of routine contact with nature may result in stunted academic and developmental growth. This unwanted side-effect of the electronic age is called Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD). The term was coined by author Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Woods in order to explain how our societal disconnect with nature is affecting today's children. Louv says we have entered a new era of suburban sprawl that restricts outdoor play, in conjunction with a plugged-in culture that draws kids indoors. But, as Louv presents in his book, the agrarian, nature-oriented existence hard-wired into human brains isn’t quite ready for the overstimulating environment we’ve carved out for ourselves. Some children adapt. Those who don’t develop the symptoms of NDD, which include attention problems, obesity, anxiety, and depression.
Nature-deficit disorder is not a medical condition; it is a description of the human costs of alienation from nature. This alienation damages children and shapes adults, families, and communities. There are solutions, though, and they’re right in our own backyards. Source: Johanna Sorrentino; Richard Louv "Nature Deficit Disorder"
How can I prevent Nature Deficit Disorder in my kids?
- Understand What Drives Creativity
Studies show that nature fosters creativity and calms children struggling with information overload. Water, trees, bushes, flowers, woods, and streams are the best kind of toys because unlike action figures or collectables they can be anything. - Allow for Controlled Risk
In a media-saturated culture where parents hear about a new child abduction almost everyday, how do we let our kids wander freely outside? Try going outside with your kids while also letting them experience unencumbered time to roam. Don’t forget to weigh the risk of what happens to a child’s imagination and inner life if we keep her indoors because we are afraid. - Focus on Nature-Oriented Camps and Schools
Many parents enroll their kids in summer camps, many of which focus on technology and indoor classes. Before you sign your children up for computer summer school, consider camps that focus on unstructured time in the environment, where children are free to use all their senses and play as they wish. - Schedule Outdoor Time
In a parenting culture chock-full of driving from one structured activity to another, it’s time to stop and literally smell the roses. If that means writing “gone outside” on the family calendar each week or (ideally) each day, then get that pen out! There are lots of great activities for getting outside, even in your own backyard. Source: Lucy Rector Filppu “Does Your Child Have Nature Deficit Disorder?”; George Ambrose "Easy Activities for Getting Kids Outdoors"
What does Environmental Education do for children? K-12 students participating in environmental education programs at school do better on standardized tests in math, reading, writing, and social studies.
Numerous studies have shown that students at schools using some kind of environment-based curriculum do better academically than their peers at traditional schools, or show improvement after the introduction of environment-based education.
People who have positive experiences with nature in childhood care more about the environment as adults.
- Many researchers have reported that childhood experiences with nature were a key formative influence on today’s environmentalists.
- Time spent in natural environments during childhood was a common factor in the lives of individuals with a strong commitment to nature and the environment as adults.
- Research is clearly substantiating that an affinity to and love of nature, along with a positive environmental ethic, grow out of children’s regular contact with and play in the natural world.
- According to a 2005 study for the California Department of Education, sixth-graders’ scores on a science knowledge test improved by 27% after participating in a week-long outdoor education program. Scores remained higher 6-10 weeks after the program. -Source: The Children's Nature Institute "Why Nature is Important"
Why is Environmental Education important? Environmental education programs provide many benefits to students.
Outdoor Education Leads to Improved Academic Success
Research shows that outdoor education enriches children’s lives in fundamental ways. Children who learn and play outdoors have:
- Longer attention spans.
- More creativity.
- Higher levels of self-confidence.
- Higher standardized test scores.
- Greater academic success.
- Significant improvements in cognitive development, self-discipline, imaginative and creative expression, language skills, and social interactions.
Environmental Education Teaches Children To Care For The Environment
We need to raise good stewards of the environment to care for issues like resource depletion, environmental pollution, land degradation, and accelerating species extinctions. Conservation efforts will benefit when we can better educate children on their connection to and dependency upon nature.
Environmental Education Programs Encourage a Spiritual Connection to the Earth
The spiritual connection to the Earth teaches children that they are a part of nature and must take care of both their surroundings and other people.
Source: Nick Boutis & Beth Krisko "A Life-Shaping Week: The Outdoor Education Experience" Michael Bentley "Nature Deficit Disorder: A Plague On Our House" Josephine Borgeson "Environmental Education Programs Help Kids Connect to the Earth"
How does being outside help my child stay healthy?
Scientists have found that spending significant time in the outdoors helps build healthier immune systems in children.
- Few children are spending “significant” time in the outdoors these days and this is a loss not only to their immune systems but to their sense of place.
- Living in “high-nature conditions” buffers children against the effect of stressful life events.
- Lower levels of behavioral conduct disorders.
- Less anxiety.
- Less depression.
- A higher sense of self-worth.
- Recovered more quickly from stressful life events.
- Children’s attention span was much improved when they moved to housing closer to natural, green spaces.
- A Swedish study of day cares found that children in day cares with a natural play area were able to concentrate better than those in a more urban setting.
- Concentration and ability to pay attention in adults are also improved by time in nature.
How can I help my child grow up to be an environmentalist? People who have positive experiences with nature in childhood care more about the environment as adults.
- Many researchers have reported that childhood experiences with nature were a key formative influence on today’s environmentalists.
- Time spent in natural environments during childhood was a common factor in the lives of individuals with a strong commitment to nature and the environment as adults.
- Research is clearly substantiating that an affinity to and love of nature, along with a positive environmental ethic, grow out of children’s regular contact with and play in the natural world.
- Citizen scientists are predominately involved in monitoring environmental indicators and the biodiversity of species related to regional climate change, which range in scope from the micrometer to the cosmos.
- There are now over 200 citizen science projects available worldwide, allowing for ordinary adults and their children to collect data that supports scientific studies and local policymaking.
- While youth are engaged as citizen scientists they are also being engaged as participants in the democratic process of decision-making in their local communities.