Nature Deficit Disorder??
Fishing with Dad at 8 months
Nature Deficit Disorder - Have you heard of it? It is a term that was established back in 2005 by Richard Louv. He wrote a book called Last Child In the Woods and today there is a lot of talk about Nature Deficit Disorder and its effects on our children. Many people believe the lack of outdoor activities is causing our children to lack appreciation for nature, become obese and cause behavioral problems. So the question is – Do our children have Nature Deficit Disorder?
Looking back on my childhood I was always outside playing until sundown during the weekdays. On the weekends my family would go for picnics in the mountains, fishing at a nearby lake or camping. We never did go “hiking” per say unless a walk around a lake or a jaunt up a hill to see what was on the other side constituted a hike. We were always playing outside, discovering the outdoors not just in the mountains but in our neighborhood, inspecting insects, climbing trees and breathing in the fresh air. I think the introduction to the outdoors at such a young age set the foundation for my love of nature and the great outdoors. These days kids are glued to the TV, computers, playing video games and hanging with friends at the mall. Today’s children live a much more sedentary life than children 20 years ago. Does that truly affect their behavior, their physical well being and their appreciation for the outdoors? What do you think? Do today’s children have Nature Deficit Disorder?
Tags: adventure, camping, childhood, deficit, disorder, fishing, hiking, Last Child In The Woods, nature, nature deficit disorder, obesity, outdoors, outside, physical, playing, Richard Louv, sedentary
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yes, I definitely think it’s creating a generation of nature deficient kids! I know that my kids NEED to go outside and run around and blow off steam every single day. If they don’t, we all suffer! It makes me so angry that schools are taking away recess and PE time. Kids NEED this!!!
My little guy definitely NEEDS to go outside, too. It is great when at 16 months is pointing outside to play.
I do believe that children today suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder and I do think that it results in obesity and overall lack of outdoor awareness. I happen to think this can be remedied with parents who not only take their children outdoors (camping,fishing, hiking,etc), but also a willingness to let their children play outside with friends in normal day-to-day life instead of cooping them up inside.
Eric,
Thanks for bringing up the point of parents letting their kids “play outside with friends in normal day-to-day life instead of cooping them up inside.” There has been discussions about parents fear of safety in todays society and that is why they keep them cooped up. I think about my childhood and the freedom we had to play in the neighborhood. How things have changed and not for the better.
I could not agree more. I even tend to think that a lot of problems such as hyper active kids can be solved just by letting get out and ware it off. To many are looking for meds and other cures to solve what nature has already provided the cure for.
I am tired of hearing about those who use tv and the computer as a baby sitter. It is time we take back what is ours and take an active role in our kids lives by going on adventures regardless if just a few hours for picnic lunch, over night to sleep among the trees, or even a few weeks…
If you are not comfortable teaching your kid about nature, there are plenty of museums, rangers, parks, and even tour groups that will give you a helping hand.
I have been exploring the outdoors, before I could walk. I should admit I have no kids of my own, but have been active in the Boy Scouting program. Sorry all rant over…
Thanks for your comment. I do agree that if you don’t want to take your kid on adventures then let them experience them in other ways with groups. organizations, schools or other outlets. I also think that tv and computers are used as babysitters today because parents are so busy with their own lives. Nature has so much to offer and too bad more people don’t see that.