It’s summertime in Maine, a time when outdoor activities should be at their peak. There is hiking, bicycling, swimming, berry picking and fishing to be done. Schools out, but where are the kids? Shouldn’t they be outside participating in these activities? Some are, but not nearly as many as there were in the past. Unfortunately, this is a result of an epidemic of the “disease” called Nature Deficit Disorder or NDD.
Nature Deficit Disorder is a term coined by Richard Louv, a newspaper columnist and author who wrote the book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder.” The term refers to the costs associated with our children being disconnected from the natural world. These costs include negative effects on healthy development and creativity as well as the lack of support and understanding for the protection of our natural resources.
Many reasons are given for today’s kids being cut off from nature; they include the fear of traffic, crime, strangers or even nature itself. Video games, computers, television and the variety of sports and other activities available today are also factors.
Fortunately all is not lost. But what was once taken for granted now requires extra effort on our part. It is easy to provide safe and meaningful experiences in the outdoors so that our children learn to appreciate the natural world. As a parent, you can do the following things to enrich your child’s knowledge:
• Take them along on short hikes in forested areas in your neighborhood. You don’t need to be an expert but work with them on identifying tree, plant and/or bird species.
• Take them fishing. There are programs such as Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs that can get you started by providing gear and advice at pre-planned events.
• Schedule a family camping trip or trip to a sporting camp in a wilderness area where you can cook outdoors, pick berries, sit around a campfire at night and gaze at the stars.
• Climb a mountain. Start with a small local peak and progress to more challenging ones.
• Take them canoeing or boating on a local lake or river, stream or marsh. Let them paddle or operate the boat if possible and teach them about the waterbody.
• Go on a wildlife viewing safari and have a contest on how many species everyone can identify.
• Go on foraging trips to pick fiddleheads, berries and other wild foods. You can provide positive reinforcement by recognizing their contributions as part of a family meal.
For more ideas, visit www.Take-It-Outside.com. Whatever activities you choose, make sure it is a fun-filled learning experience. Refreshments, proper clothing and equipment as well as a positive helpful attitude go a long way into making great memories. You may also want to purchase a few field guides on plants, birds, etc. to assist with questions. Remember the extra effort you make today will have a great impact on the relationship your child will have with nature in the future. NDD is something we can all help to overcome in our backyard!