CHILDREN AND NATURE : Nature Deficit Disorder
Global Voices for Justice interviews Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principle, Last Child in the Woods, The Web of Life, and other books. Louv shares a hopeful message for every area of life from more productive workplaces, to better classroom learning and healing our nature-starved spirits.
CHILDREN AND NATURE : Richard Louv’s ‘The Nature Principle’
The immediacy of Richard Louv‘s message in Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder galvanized an international movement to reconnect children with nature. Now, in The Nature Principle, Louv reaches even further with a powerful call to action for the rest of us.
9-6-12_Chena_RLouv2 (Photo credit: Marion J. Patterson)
Our society, says Louv, has developed such an outsized faith in technology that we have yet to fully realize or even adequately study how human capacities are enhanced through the power of nature. Supported by groundbreaking research, anecdotal evidence, and compelling personal stories, Louv shows us how tapping into the restorative powers of the natural world can boost mental acuity and creativity; promote health and wellness; build smarter and more sustainable businesses, communities, and economies; and ultimately strengthen human bonds. As he says in his introduction, The Nature Principle is “about the power of living in nature—not with it, but in it. We are entering the most creative period in history. The twenty-first century will be the century of human restoration in the natural world.”
Richard Louv makes a convincing case that through a nature-balanced existence—driven by sound economic, social, and environmental solutions—the human race can and will thrive. This timely, inspiring, and important work will give readers renewed hope while challenging them to rethink the way we live.
November 2008 cover of Nature Materials (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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- Going on a Tech Fast (psychologytoday.com)
- Looking Forward to Nature (phippsscienceeducation.org)
- Play in Nature Keynote Address (playinnature.com)
- New Washburn Center Brings Nature To Mpls. Children (minnesota.cbslocal.com)
- The Cure May Be Right Outside Your Door (fieldnotesfromfatherhood.com)
- Natural Togetherness (hiking2christ.org)
- Your kid have NDD? (thegoodword.me)
- Does experiencing nature increase empathy? (silverlinedwinnebago.wordpress.com)
- Do Outdoor Experiences Help Shape Children’s Brains? (phippsscienceeducation.org)
CHILDREN AND NATURE : Last Child in the Woods
A five-minute walk in the woods with Richard Louv as he discusses nature-deficit disorder and the themes of his book Last Child in the Woods.
Links : childrenandnature.org and www.facebook.com/NAEEUK
CHILDREN OUTDOORS – The success of ‘Nature Kindergarten’….
Fighting nature deficit disorder from an early age! Based on Forest Schools in the United Kingdom. Henricus Peters, Co-Chair of NAEEUK
Source : http://youtu.be/PYj-Cf3lrxA
Link : Children and Nature
The Outdoor Classroom – reconnecting children and their environment
Fighting ADHD, Nature Deficit Disorder and over-use of technology – by having children to engage with their surroundings. Compiled by Henricus Peters, NAEEUK Co-Chair
Every program of early care and education has an outdoor environment and some outdoor activities – but often not enough.
The Outdoor Classroom Project, conducted by the Child Educational Center (CEC), was initially funded from 2003 to 2008 by First 5 LA, in Los Angeles County, to disseminate the philosophy and practice of outdoor programming and environments as critical elements of a quality program of early care and education.
Its primary focus is now in Santa Barbara County, supported through the Orfalea Fund. Grounded in a century of theory, practice and research, this project was developed in response to the dramatic deterioration of children’s outdoor activity in contemporary America.
The goal of the Outdoor Classroom is to increase the quantity, quality and benefit of children’s outdoor experience.View or download the Outdoor Classroom Project summary flyer.
The comprehensive Outdoor Classroom model addresses at least seven of the critical issues facing young children today:
- Lack of exercise.
- Preoccupation with electronic media.
- Lack of safe places to play outside.
- Isolation and fear of nature.
- Lack of interest in and understanding of our world including nature and human impact on it.
- Current trends toward a one dimensional approach to early childhood education.
- The epidemic use of behavior-modifying drugs on young children.
- http://www.orfaleafoundation.org/focus-areas/early-childhood-education/outdoor-classroom
Related articles
- Ideas For Taking the Classroom Outdoors (tutoringtoexcellence.blogspot.com)
- the garden classroom: 52 kids gardening activities (nurturestore.co.uk)
- Ideas For Taking the Classroom Outdoors (tutoringtoexcellence.blogspot.com)
- D.C. Health Officials Attempt To Remove Animals From Classrooms (washington.cbslocal.com)
- Guest Post: No Crayons In Sight (thesaltlick.tv)
- Children participating more in outdoor recreation, but South lags behind (al.com)
- Outdoor classroom enhanced by students pavilion project (omaha.com)
- Easing the Transition to a New Classroom or Program (4cchildcareexpert.wordpress.com)
- Homegrown: Nature Explore Classroom (thegazette.com)
- From Organic Veg to Solar Panels: One School’s Eco-Journey (tutoringtoexcellence.blogspot.com)
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