April 30, 2009

On The Trail

This week I attended a community workshop sponsored by the Children and Nature Network, which is an organization committed to getting families outdoors. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and who coined the term "nature deficit disorder", emphasises that children are happier, healthier, and better problem solvers when they connect with nature. The workshop was full of great information - but I also left wondering, what type of a world requires reminders for playing outside? Is this my world?

Well, thank goodness for Delicious Baby's Photo Friday to lift my spirits! While searching for my weekly photo, I realized just how much time is spent outdoors while on vacation. If you sift through your own vacation photos, chances are, you will find a large assortment of hikes, trails, adventures and seashores. So yes, I will of course continue to shoo my kids outside for the afternoons, take them to the parks on the weekends, and embark upon lots of day trips. But I'll also be ordering that book for my husband, as justification for an extensive 2009-2010 travel itinerary. It's good for the kids!





11 comments:

Peace said...

I've never heard of 'nature deficit disorder' but there definitely is something wonderful about kids spending time in the great outdoors rather than inside. We're heading out on a wildlife safari and night walk tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to getting outside and into the 'wild', we won't be seeing any big game but are looking forward to seeing possums, platypus and wallabies and I think it will be just as good for me as for the kids : )

Debbie said...

It's become very "fashionable" here in Seattle for the schools to have a garden where the children grow different fruits and vegetables.

I'm a fan (I always worry a little that my kids won't know where there food comes from), but I always think it's a little funny too since there are so few things that they can grow during the winter or harvest before school ends for summer.

Bridget Smith said...

Beautiful pictures! I'm actually reading this book and was trying to talk my husband into an extra camping trip or two this summer. So much work, but so worth it for the kids just to have some lazy time to get muddy and explore!

Everyone should read this book!

marina villatoro said...

What a great concept. I live in nature so I forget that many children aren't around it all the time.
Nature Deficit Disorder, sounds dead on to me for kids that are City Borne and all they see is concrete.
I know that Manhattan schools try hard to take the kids to the surrounding parks to show them there is a whole other world out there only 30 minutes away.
Photo Friday - Cano Island - The Truth Revealed

Jessie V said...

what fun!! i love seeing these kids play outside. thanks!

tjhinn said...

Nature deficit disorder? Sounds like something a lot of us here in Jakarta suffers from.. unfortunately, I can't blame them much.. its so smoky over here.. we have to go far out from the city to enjoy nature and its beauty..

Great pics!

amida said...

Thanks for the reminder. I love Last Child In The Woods and have been spending a lot of time with my kids outdoors this school year. It is sad that we need the reminder, though, but I guess that's the world of today's kids -- TV, video games, class time. I learned from a friend that her kids only get 15 minutes of outdoor recess time every day. As soon as school lets out, they hit the playground! Kids (and adults!)need that outside time. It rejuvenates their minds and bodies.

Linda said...

I'm happy to hear so many people have heard of Last Child in the Woods. We've discussed the book in our ECFE classes.

We live on a farm, so our kids have it easier than many for getting out and exploring.

Dominique said...

Being able to spend as much time as I want outdoors is one of the things I enjoy best about travel.

Tiffany T said...

Oh man, I remember the days when I was a child, and I would take my bike outside and ride around the neighborhood without a care in the world. Now, I'm afraid to let my kids out of my site in the BACKYARD much less the front since there are too many weirdos in the world. It seems that as our world gets closer in communication (e.g. Internet) the smaller the safety zone feels. I just have to get myself into gear and go biking with them.

wandermom said...

This is so true - how much time we spend outdoors during vacation time! And - having older children - I can truly testify that every minute is worthwhile.

p.s. Just for Debbie: there's always potatoes :)