We've all heard that the future is in the hands of children so what will the future hold?Nature-deficit disorder is a term that has been coined to describe the increasing numbers of children who have little to no unstructured playtime in the natural environment. Richard Louv, award-winning author of "Last Child in the Woods", writes:
"Nature-deficit disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses."
Playing outside without structure and supervision allows kids to develop common sense, problem solving skills, and wonderful imaginations. They also build a life-long relationship with nature that will last a lifetime and give them the desire to live a more active lifestyle and reduce their chance of suffering from depression.
There are many ways for everyone to encourage kids to get outside!
Parents can give kids their own garden plot, take them on hikes, encourage walking and riding bikes to school, and support (or start) initiatives by teachers and schools to increase outdoor education.
Teachers can incorporate the outdoors into every aspect of the curriculum (in elementary and secondary schools), encourage community involvement by the students, start a school garden or stream restoration project, and lead by example- conserve water and power, recycle in the classroom, compost.
Citizens can volunteer their time with kids groups like scouts and guides, start a community garden, engage with the local rec centre to lead nature walks, and get involved in mentoring.
Everyone can get involved in "Leave no Child Inside" initiatives!
Get started learning about this issue at these websites:
Children and Nature Network
Child and Nature Alliance (a British Columbia based initiative)
Richard Louv (author of "Last Child in the Woods")
EKOS Communications (Richard Louv Podcast)
The Centre for Ecoliteracy
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