"Nature Deficit Disorder" and your kids

[David Mitchell]

I'm reading a book at this moment that is fascinating--"Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv.  He uses the term "nature deficit disorder" and relates it to how kids today are not experiencing the woods and unstructured play in nature and what the consequences are.  Makes me thankful for all the threads here about dads and moms getting the kids into the woods to hunt, camp, and shoot bows.  Mine are grown now and still enjoying the outdoors, but I am seeing to it that my grandkids get to experience what fewer and fewer kids today are enjoying. There is a lot of research referred to and more and more the "need" for nature is being recognized.  We here on TradGang are aware of our "need" for nature, it is not just a personal preference or excuse to "go huntin'" but a real need inborn in humans.  Good read--will make you think...Dave

[gregg dudley]

Thanks for posting the information.  I had heard about the book.  I need to put a copy in a couple of people's hands...

[David Mitchell]

I just ordered a couple from Amazon for my own kids--for the sake of my grandkids  

[Izzy]

Ill have to get a copy.

[lpcjon2]

Sounds like I should give it a read.Thanks

[David Mitchell]

Some interesting comments from the book...regarding the use of prescription stimulants (think Ritalin): "...use of such stimulants increased 600% between 1990 and 1995, and continues to rise in numbers, especially for younger children." P. 100.  

TV and ADHD..."Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle maintains that each hour of TV watched per day by preschoolers increases by 10% the likelihood that they will develop concentration problems and other symptoms of attention-deficit disorders by age seven," p. 100-101.

Lots of other fascinating research here.

[lpcjon2]

My wife is a social work student and had to do psychology classes and all the cited work she researched all psychologist would put kids on meds .They say it helps them to control the behavior.I think it was so the parents didn't have to deal with it,and it gave the doctor an easy cure which pleases the parent.After working in the med field I see kids that become completely physically dependent on the meds.Its a substitution for spending time with children,A walk in the woods does us wonders and it would do them the same.

[Tsalagi]

I'm going to read that book. As I recall, this si exactly the reason Teddy Roosevelt established the national forests. He thought kids as well as adults needed to be in the outdoors.

[lpcjon2]

Yup you have to give it up for Teddy he did tons for nature.

[Jim Jackson]

FYI:  Only a psychiatrist can prescribe meds.  Psychologists don't, at least here in Missouri and we hope it stays that way.

My wife is pediatric neuropsychologist and has to fight this misperception a lot.  There is a time and place for meds, but often it is the easy way out.  She works hard to find the root of these attention issues, and the great outdoors can be wonderful therapy.

[stik&string]

Thanks for posting this. I think I'll need to get this one for myself and a copy for my co-workers. I work in a group home for deliquent teenagers and I must say that in the ten years I have been in this field I have seen a dramatic decrease in the amount of time that the teens spend outside and I have seen just as dramatic of a rise in the seriousness of their offenses. I always felt these were related, it would be nice to see some research to back it up.

[John3]

Too many kids turn into adults that have never been off of the pavement.  Many people are "disconnected" from the natural world.

[HOWITZER]

Originally posted by John3:
Too many kids turn into adults that have never been off of the pavement.  Many people are "disconnected" from the natural world.

AMEN! Connecting with the natural world for a child is like opening a door of wonder and amazment that will last a life time.

[maineac]

I have seen the research associated with Nature deficit disorder, and done some additional reading on the Biophilla Hypothesis, and Attention Restoration Theory which all deal with natures ability to allow our minds to work in a way it evolved to work, as opposed to trying to fit within the modern technological mode.  I am always amazed at how few of my students get outside in the woods despite living in the most heavily wooded state in the nation, and one with tons of land open to walking and exploring.  I truly think the more time we can get kids outdoors the better off they will be.  Both in the long term, but also in their ability to focus in the short term when required to.  that being said I think its time to suit up and go for a snowshoe with the dog.

[bearbowman]

I know I am going to get a copy. I AGREE with where it is going. This is going to be a great book I am sure.

UPDATE 1:18 PM

Sweet! I just got one you know where for $5.58
shipped.