Children and Nature

Because of my studies I have been reading a book that I think every parent should read because it helps open your eyes to the fact, that the reason our children are obese and will most likely die before we do is because we are keeping them inside and not giving them enough contact with nature. The book is called Last Child in the Woods by Ricard Louv. I encourage you to read it and debate it with me if you want, yet as I read I realize more and more the reasons our country is the now second fattest country in the world. We have stopped playing outside. Along with being an eye opener to parents and all Americans alike this book is also a wonderful resource of what you can do to reverse the trend of staying inside. A one of my favorites is. Helping your child discover a universe by placing a board on the ground and leaving it alone for a week a and then lifting it up to see what is underneath. This could be a wonderful teaching time for you and your children because you might even be surprised what you find underneath the board and then you can all go and figure out what the different insects and worms are. In one simple activity you are learning about new insects and becoming connected with the creatures that live symbiotically with you in this world and becoming closer with your children. Who would have thought placing a board on the ground could have had so many positive outcomes? There are several more ideas and websites that are given in the back of the book to help you as a parent and as a person become more connected with the world around you. If you spend just an hour a day outside with your children you could reduce the chances of obesity and depression among countless other issues that plauge our society. We do it what about you??