Preparing to raise children? Currently raising children and at your wits end? With all the technology, products, and TV shows geared towards children, consider taking a free and beneficial trial with nature. Studies show that parents rate their children as being more focused, better able to complete tasks, and follow directions by spending time outdoors. *

Climbing a tree

“If getting our kids out into nature is a search for perfection, or is one more chore, then the belief in perfection and the chore defeats the joy. It's a good thing to learn more about nature in order to share this knowledge with children; it's even better if the adult and child learn about nature together. And it's a lot more fun.” 
― Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

Nature Deficit Disorder:

Many people lack nature in their lives. This can be termed as Nature Deficit Disorder. NDD is not a chronic illness and it cannot be caught by a cough or sneeze. Rather, it is a term describing the relationship we as a society have lost with nature. This is especially influential on the next generation: our children. 1

Our children may be gaining a better understanding of global threats and environmental problems, but are losing a physical relationship with the world they are learning to protect.2

As intimacy with nature decreases, things like obesity, attention deficit disorders, and other disorders increase. However, NDD is easy to cure and causes dozens of positive side effects, ranging from more physically active and creative children to children less aggressive and better able to concentrate.3

 One of the simplest cures to NDD is to take the time to go outside, enjoy the nature in your backyard, and make it a daily process. 

During a birthday party

“This principle holds that a re-connection to the natural world is fundamental to human health, well-being, spirit, and survival.” 
― Richard Louv, The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder

Causes:

• Rise in video-game and television time (up to 53 hours a week)
• Lack of natural places to play in
• Parental fear of the unknown and of the nature around them
• Belief that family life must revolve around a child's activities
• Push from schools to work children harder at younger ages; removal of recess from many schools
• Perception that we can live without nature and create the "wild" we need

Effects:

• Rise in obesity
• Higher risk of depression and anxiety; less able to handle stress
• Lower grades in school
• Loss of ability to feel awe and wonder 4

Benefits:

• Improved cognitive functioning, increased self-discipline, emotional well-being
• Lower blood pressure
• Help rehabilitation and mental disorders
• Lower stress and depression
• Prevent cancer 5

What Can I Do?

• Take time outdoors and expose young children to natural play
• Help communities promote more outdoor time among individuals/families
• Perform volunteer work to teach children about nature/their environment
• Leave unstructured time for children to use their imaginations

For more information on Nature Deficit Disorder and how it effects children, consider reading "Last Child in the Woods", written by Richard Louv.