Playing in Nature

I avoided reading Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder because the name sounded so dismal, and I have so much going on in my life and mind that I would rather focus on things I can do rather than more things to worry about. But after reading yet another raving review of this book, I decided to borrow it from the library. I am glad I did. It was inspiring, thought-provoking, engaging and motivating.

At first glance I thought it was going to be a book about parenting, but it's actually a critique of American society: the shifting of our society with each generation further and further away from nature, and the cost to our children (and all of us) of growing up alienated from nature. The author, Richard Louv, did an incredible amount of research putting this book together-- the book is packed with research, interviews, discussions, and stories, all centered around the importance of nature, the consequences of our separation from it, and the benefits of being in connection with it. Louv also offers some great ideas for how to re-do our schools and communities in ways that are green, sustainable, and beyond back-to-the-land.

What drew me in most as I read this book were the stories throughout the book of people's experiences in nature, and the profound impact those experiences had in their lives. The stories touch a place inside me that I can't explain-- it's a place that feels, that resonates, that vibrates. When I try to remember what the book said about why I should get my kids out in nature, I can't think of the answer; I feel it. Louv suggests that even though we categorize nature as something separate from city, our cities are still in fact part of nature. We are living in and with the natural world whether we think we are or not. Just as we are inherently sexual and spiritual beings, we are also "natural" beings; there is a part of us that is wild, keen, and totally connected with our environment.

I want my kids to grow up having a sense of connectedness with their world, to be stewards of the earth, to have a bigger picture of our place on the planet, or at least the feel the peace, quiet, expanding of the senses, and creativity that comes from being in nature. They have a biological need for it. And I want to enjoy it with them, letting myself learn, open, create, relax, explore, and feel the wonder of it. This book has motivated me to eventually find a home with land for my kids to explore, and for now to keep going for our weekend family hikes, include in our daily routine trips to the beautiful parks and natural places we have around us here in Montana (or maybe we'll just find one great place and go there every day), find simple ways to enjoy the flowers, leaves, trees, sunshine and birds in our neighborhood, find interesting natural places that might be hiding in our neighborhood, and altogether discontinue my daughter's use of movies (she only watches a few minutes once every week or two, but lately even that seems like too much to me). I know there is so much more, like creating community in our neighborhood, giving lots of opportunities for free play, and allowing my kids to roam without my watchful, fearful eyes on them.

I wonder how I would have been different had I been exposed as a child to more natural places more often? And how was I affected by the camping and outdoor activities we did do? How might my kids be affected by my attention to giving them experiences with nature?

How do you think you and/or your children were impacted by being or not being involved with nature?


Related links:
Video Clip of Richard Louv discussing his perspective
Interesting and Informative Video on Nature Deficit Disorder
Children and Nature Network

Related posts:
From Lawn to Nature's Playground
Better Than School: A Homeschooling Success Story
My New Clothesline
Confessions of a Mother