Last Child in the Woods and catching frogs at the farm

renee's picture
Submitted by renee on

I'm reading Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv right now and I'm inspired on many levels. I'm encouraged by what we're currently doing with our kids in the outdoors and challenged to do more. I feel, once again, that homeschooling gives us an unique advantage in spending time outdoors with our children (spending any time really). Damien and I are determining our children's curriculum and we've decided that the outdoors is a very important part of their education, and we don't have to fight busy school and work schedules to live those values.

This week I took the kids to the farm where we pick up vegetables each week during the summer. I let them wander, play and explore for at least an hour while I took photos and enjoyed sharing in their exciting discoveries. And although time spent at a farm isn't exactly an adventure, except for the challenge of avoiding piles of manure, I've noticed that our children's adventurous spirit travels with them wherever they go. Like catching frogs at the pond or trying to climb the apple tree, even if it means wandering close to the beehives. Our children are not afraid to explore the outdoors and I think it's in part because we spend lots of time with them outside. Kind of makes sense, don't you think?

Which brings me back to the book. Everything I've read so far is simply old fashioned common sense in our modern era of computer/tv/technology overloaded kiddos. (It's not the kids fault by the way if their parents, schools and communities don't make time and space for natural outdoor experiences.) Of course children should be outdoors more. They do better academically, emotionally and physically the more time they spend in nature. And our communities and families need to make this a priority for our children. Their health and the health of this planet depends on it.

Although we prefer the adventure and physical endurance aspects of mountain hiking, I don't think it matters much if you are hiking, fishing, birding, gardening, white water rafting or tree house building; families need to spend more time outdoors. Kids need to reconnect with nature as a primary childhood experience. That is the message of this book and I couldn't agree more.

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[...] Disorder while munching my lunchtime salads and you can check out a post I wrote about kiddos and the outdoors (and catching farm frogs) over at ADVENTUREinPROGRESS. If you don't get over there, because you [...]

My kids spend a lot of time

My kids spend a lot of time in the backyard. Their favorite activities include collecting bugs, digging, and lots of physical activity with their bikes and trikes. I love that I can be back there --gardening or whatever-- and they can be totally independent and happy. In fact, more often than not, I hear the best snippets of conversation between them when they're in the backyard.

I totally agree!

Both me and my husband recently read this book and felt exactly like you - kids were designed to be outside! The book simply reinforced in our minds that being out in Mother Nature's handiwork is the best thing we can do for our boys' development. (Not to mention that they LOVE it, so it's a whole lot easier than trying to keep them engaged while indoors!)

Nancy
www.familyonbikes.org

Like catching frogs at the

Like catching frogs at the pond or trying to climb the apple tree, even if it means wandering close to the beehives. Our children are not afraid to explore the outdoors and I think it's in part because we spend lots of time with them outside. Kind of makes sense, don't you think?

3freester

Yes!

I think every parent and educator should read this book or at least hear the thesis and give it some thought. The point is that children need nature--especially free play where they can roam and discover and create in the wild and that we, as a society have instilled too much fear of nature in our children and also outlawed a lot of free play and the changing landscape and culture have moved children into cities and away from farms.

Great post. Thanks for sharing.

Kind regards,
Andy Moquin
Engagement Rings|Wedding Rings|Rings Circle of New York
Buffalo, New York, USA