Nature Deficit Disorder

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I was watching the Today Show, while I was working out this morning. They had a segment about a family in Virginia that started an outdoor activity club for families with children. The goal was to introduce children to the outdoors. The premise of the report is that too many children spend time indoors and are more engaged with technology than with nature. Children do not play or explore enough and the result is children know nothing about the outdoors.

Richard Louv was on the program and used the term “Nature Deficit Disorder” when explaining this problem. It is interesting that he used that term, and at first I was cynical. Will this now show up on IEPs or 504s? Is this yet another condition I need to be aware of? That would be crazy! But as I was watched I realized he used that term to make a point. The point was that children with Attention Deficit Disorder and other behavior disabilities could benefit from some time outdoors. Children don’t just need the outdoors to “burn off energy” but they need to learn about nature and the environment. That children need to learn to be creative by playing outdoor games that force you to make the rules and play the game. He believes that lack of time outdoors has caused many of the behavior problems we all see in and out of school.

His other fear is if children do not develop a love for the wilderness, that they will not value its existence. This could be potentially very serious if in 30 years there is no one fighting to protect the open space and national parks that we are so lucky to have. Parents should not be afraid to take the children outside to explore their yard, the park, a field, or the woods.

As a parent and educator I would encourage everyone to take Mr. Louv’s advice and avoid “Nature Deficit Disorder”. Enjoy everything the summer has to offer. My wife and I took our children on a walk and found 3 baby birds on the ground. We spent a lot time looking and talking about the birds. We also found one baby bird that did not make the drop out of the tree. We had a very interesting talk about that as well. It was fun, educational, and didn’t cost a dime. Time well spent!