For the past several years, I've been concerned that our children are living lives of virtual reality rather than experiencing the reality of nature and the outdoors. A special report on the health of our nation's children in USA Weekend validated my concern. Scientists and educators alike are concerned about the problem of our children's health.
The alarming rise of obesity, nearsightedness, attention disorder and depression among our children is the result of, among other things, the lack of nature in children's lives. In his best-selling book "Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder," Richard Louv cites a growing body of evidence that supports this conclusion.
In the space of one century, Americans' experience with nature has gone from an intimate 24-hour-a-day personal involvement during the pioneer days to what has become an electronic detachment today. As an elementary student told Richard Louv, "I like to play indoors better because that's where all the electrical outlets are." Children need to be connected with nature early in their lives. In the world of nature, every day is a brand new experience. These experiences engage and exercise the right brain - a major source of imagination, creativity and a help in building self-reliance and self-esteem.
Children must learn to use computers. They're essential for the world that we live in today. Their use develops the left brain. If children let computers dominate their lives, they fail to develop personal creativity and fully develop the right brain. Introducing our children to nature is one of the best and least expensive ways to insure their physical, emotional and intellectual health. As our nation struggles to deal with rising health care costs, we can proactively educate our children to enjoy healthy lives. An important component of optimal wellness is a strong connection with nature.
For those concerned about the environment, a real hope is that kids get that message early in their lives. Being able to recognize and name a plant or animal and understand its role in the environment helps children value its existence. Many communities around the country are taking creative steps toward nature education for kids. Lawrence should lead our state in this effort.
There are a number of local organizations that are providing outdoor experiences. All of these efforts are very important, yet a large percentage of our children do not participate in regular nature education. Our goal should be that, no later than kindergarten or first grade, all kids are introduced to nature. If the public schools provide these experiences, it should be easier for parents to get their kids outdoors.
Let's aspire to be a national leader in nature education and wellness as much as we are in college football and basketball. To begin, all kindergarteners and first-graders in Lawrence could take regular field trips to family farms, the Baker Wetlands, the Rice Woods and other natural areas. We need to equip our schools with the resources to accomplish this goal. We are, indeed, fortunate to have these areas so easily accessible. We can take advantage of these resources - now! As Richard Louv's book shows, it's not too late for our children; we just need to begin.
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sgb (Sandy Beverly) says…
See a related blog at:http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/stumbles/2008/oct/17/a-different-kind-of-back-yard/
mjvande (anonymous) says…
Last Child in the Woods Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder,by Richard LouvMichael J. Vandeman, Ph.D.November 16, 2006In this eloquent and comprehensive work, Louv makes a convincing case for ensuring that children (and adults) maintain access to pristine natural areas, and even, when those are not available, any bit of nature that we can preserve, such as vacant lots. I agree with him 100%. Just as we never really outgrow our need for our parents (and grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.), humanity has never outgrown, and can never outgrow, our need for the companionship and mutual benefits of other species.But what strikes me most about this book is how Louv is able, in spite of 310 pages of text, to completely ignore the two most obvious problems with his thesis: (1) We want and need to have contact with other species, but neither we nor Louv bother to ask whether they want to have contact with us! In fact, most species of wildlife obviously do not like having humans around, and can thrive only if we leave them alone! Or they are able tolerate our presence, but only within certain limits. (2) We and Louv never ask what type of contact is appropriate! He includes fishing, hunting, building "forts", farming, ranching, and all other manner of recreation. Clearly, not all contact with nature leads to someone becoming an advocate and protector of wildlife. While one kid may see a beautiful area and decide to protect it, what's to stop another from seeing it and thinking of it as a great place to build a house or create a ski resort? Developers and industrialists must come from somewhere, and they no doubt played in the woods with the future environmentalists!It is obvious, and not a particularly new idea, that we must experience wilderness in order to appreciate it. But it is equally true, though ("conveniently") never mentioned, that we need to stay out of nature, if the wildlife that live there are to survive. I discuss this issue thoroughly in the essay, "Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans!", at http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande/india... the rest: http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande/louv
merrill (anonymous) says…
Yes John you and I agree the natural wetlands is an excellent place for children and parents to visit. Will you please pull your support for killing the wetlands with a road and instead back another plan that avoids the wetlands altogether.Meanwhile hikng out around Clinton Lake is a good experience. We have done this frequently and love it. Take some binoculars. Brookcreek Park has a nice wild wooded area that is excellent for hanging out.McGrew family designated a nature trail off of west 15th.Encourage the park department to stop spraying and mowing so much thus allowing wildscape to replace mowing scape. Save the city money and park the mowers for longer periods of time thus encouraging wildlife habitat to return.In general I agree with John.