A Different Kind of Deficiency: Getting Kids Back to Nature
September 4th, 2009
The modern prevalence of technology and entertainment may be at least partially responsible for the large amounts of time that today’s children spend in front of the computer or television screen, and the trend may have negative consequences for physical and mental health, as suggested by current research. In response to this issue, a number of parents and guardians are encouraging outdoor summer camps for kids, which some professionals say may go a long way towards curtailing the effects of “nature deficit disorder.” Helping to provide children with ample sunlight needed for optimal mental health and creating team-building activities, summer camps may be old-fashioned, but they may also be exactly what’s needed for today’s youth.
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Comments
The amount of time kids spend indoors watching television and o the computer is just increasing by the day. Things were very different even a decade ago. I just hope things improve now… Children do require to spend time outdoors… it teaches them not only to love nature but also to see life through various dimensions and views.
Kids today want junk food,sit in front of the television and spend endless hours watching useless stuff…this is definitely not healthy and pre-teen and teen obesity is on the rise and if noting is done by the parent,it could lead into a much bigger problem in the future life of any child…they need to be taught about the benefits of being close to nature and having a healthy diet, consisting of greens and other natural stuff… to go out and have outdoor activities, to socialize and to play and have fresh air and good sunlight. Without this, there is only a bleak future for this young generation.
My mom made us play outside during the summer and all year long. Not enough parents continue to do that today.
You know what? I think that we have all become lazy as parents, me included. There are other things to keep our kids occupied these days, and we have gladly allowed the video games and tv’s to do that for us. I know that there have been times when I have actually encouraged my kids to just go watch a movie instead of going outside all for the sake of letting me get some work done in the house. I am ashamed to admit that but it is true. While this does not happen all of the time or in every household, I know that this is something that I need to work on and I would be willing to hazard a bet that it is something that others could work on as well. Bring on some scholarships for more summer camps and I am there!
Wow! An honest voice. I’ve done that as well Corrinne. It’s hard to concentrate on work if you don’t know what the kids are up to outdoors. There’s no need to be ashamed of doing your best to keep work and family at manageable levels. Thank you for reminding me I don’t have to be this supermom devoting my every waking minute to entertaining my kids and ignoring everything else. Moms have lives too to live! The kids at summer camps would give us a nice break as well.
When did the words fresh air become such bad words to our children? They don’t know what they are missing!
You’re so right, Anne! I drew out hopscotch with chalks on my driveway the other week for my neighbor’s visiting grandchildren. The only reason they were outside was because there was a power outage. They had never played it! What a blast they had learning and I had teaching them. Adults need to regain their sense of fun as well.
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