CHILDREN IN NATURECHILDREN IN NATURE

Jim ByfordJim Byford

PEOPLE AND LANDPEOPLE AND LAND

A DISCONNECTA DISCONNECT

““LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS”LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS”

ByBy

Richard LouvRichard Louv

ProblemProblem

Too few children having unstructured play Too few children having unstructured play outdoors.outdoors.

MORE THAN AN INTERESTING MORE THAN AN INTERESTING OBSERVATIONOBSERVATION

OBESITYOBESITY

20% of our children clinically obese 20% of our children clinically obese

(quadrupled since the 1960’s)(quadrupled since the 1960’s)

36% increase in 2-5 year-olds (1989-99)36% increase in 2-5 year-olds (1989-99)

40% of 5-8 year-olds – cardiac risk40% of 5-8 year-olds – cardiac risk

(Center for Disease Control)(Center for Disease Control)

POOR FITNESSPOOR FITNESS

2/3 American children cannot pass basic 2/3 American children cannot pass basic physical physical

40% (boys) and 70% (girls) 6-16 years-old 40% (boys) and 70% (girls) 6-16 years-old cannot do more than 1 pull-upcannot do more than 1 pull-up

(President’s council on Fitness and Sports)(President’s council on Fitness and Sports)

ADHDADHD (Attention deficit (Attention deficit hyperactivityhyperactivity disorder) disorder)

Use of ritalin and dexedrine increased 600% Use of ritalin and dexedrine increased 600% between 1990 and 1995between 1990 and 1995

Side EffectsSide Effects -Sleep disruption-Sleep disruption

-Depression -Depression -Growth suppression– ½ inch per year-Growth suppression– ½ inch per year

(National Institute of Mental Health)(National Institute of Mental Health)

ADHDADHD

Each hour of TV watched by preschoolers Each hour of TV watched by preschoolers increases by 10% the likelihood of ADHD by increases by 10% the likelihood of ADHD by age 7.age 7.

(Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center – Seattle)(Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center – Seattle)

TOO BUSY WITH STRUCTURED TOO BUSY WITH STRUCTURED ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

Directed Attention =Directed Attention FatigueDirected Attention =Directed Attention Fatigue Too Much:Too Much:

-impulsive behavior-impulsive behavior

-agitation-agitation

-irritation-irritation

-inability to concentrate-inability to concentrate(University of Michigan)(University of Michigan)

ALLERGIESALLERGIES

Recent increase in children’s allergies connected Recent increase in children’s allergies connected with less time outdoors with less time outdoors (National Geographic—May (National Geographic—May 2006)2006)

Exposure to indoor air pollution, toxic molds, Exposure to indoor air pollution, toxic molds, carbon dioxide, and lead dustcarbon dioxide, and lead dust

Allergen level of newer sealed buildings can be Allergen level of newer sealed buildings can be as much as 200 times that of older structures as much as 200 times that of older structures

LOW STANDARDIZED TEST LOW STANDARDIZED TEST SCORESSCORES

US Children falling behind in math and US Children falling behind in math and sciencescience

Of 31 countries, US children placed in the Of 31 countries, US children placed in the middlemiddle

(Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development-(Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development-2003)2003)

ECOPHOBIAECOPHOBIA

Fear of ecological deteriorationFear of ecological deterioration

Classrooms – filled with examples of Classrooms – filled with examples of environmental abuseenvironmental abuse

Lacking direct experience with nature:Lacking direct experience with nature: - fear of apocalypse- fear of apocalypse -not joy and wonder-not joy and wonder

BENEFITSBENEFITSOF OF

UNSTRUCTURED OUTDOORUNSTRUCTURED OUTDOORPLAYPLAY

OBESITY AND FITNESSOBESITY AND FITNESS

More outdoor play:More outdoor play:

= more exercise= more exercise

= less obesity= less obesity

= better fitness= better fitness

ADHDADHD

Two daycare centers:Two daycare centers:

-In one, children played outside every day-In one, children played outside every day

-In another, seldom played outside-In another, seldom played outside

-In the first, children had:-In the first, children had: better motor coordinationbetter motor coordination more able to concentratemore able to concentrate

(Swedish researchers)(Swedish researchers)

ADHDADHD

Being close to nature=better attention spanBeing close to nature=better attention span

(New York State College of Human Ecology)(New York State College of Human Ecology)

ADHDADHD

Even view of green through a window reduces Even view of green through a window reduces ADHD symptomsADHD symptoms

(University of Illinois Human Environmental Research Lab)(University of Illinois Human Environmental Research Lab)

CRIME RATE AND DRUG ABUSECRIME RATE AND DRUG ABUSE

Often associated with:Often associated with: BoredomBoredom DesperationDesperation Low self-esteemLow self-esteem Poor social skillsPoor social skills

PLAY AREASPLAY AREAS

When dominated by play structures:When dominated by play structures:-social hierarchy based on physical competence-social hierarchy based on physical competence

After green, grassy area with shrubs:After green, grassy area with shrubs:-more fantasy play-more fantasy play-social hierarchy based more on-social hierarchy based more on

Language skillsLanguage skills CreativityCreativity InventivenessInventiveness

STANDARDIZED TEST SCORESSTANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

Children on asphalt--more interrupted playChildren on asphalt--more interrupted play

Green playgrounds--children created long-Green playgrounds--children created long-term play that continued day to dayterm play that continued day to day

20% higher standardized test scores20% higher standardized test scores

(Swedish Study)(Swedish Study)

STANDARDIZED TEST SCORESSTANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

Video games/computer software-children use Video games/computer software-children use creativity of otherscreativity of others

Unstructured outdoor play:Unstructured outdoor play:

-forts out of weed fields-forts out of weed fields

-sailboats with leaves and sticks-sailboats with leaves and sticks

-creativity, reasoning, physics principles-creativity, reasoning, physics principles

STANDARDIZED TEST SCORESSTANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

In an effort to increase standardized test scores, In an effort to increase standardized test scores, school leaders have:school leaders have:

Cut out play timeCut out play time Turned playgrounds into parking lotsTurned playgrounds into parking lots Spent more money on brick and mortar Spent more money on brick and mortar

classrooms, and computer technologyclassrooms, and computer technology

STANDARDIZED TEST SCORESSTANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

Finland outscored 31 other countriesFinland outscored 31 other countries 11stst place in literacy place in literacy Top 5 in Math and ScienceTop 5 in Math and Science

U.S. in the middle of the packU.S. in the middle of the pack

STANDARDIZED TEST SCORESSTANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

Finland:Finland:

Children do not start school until age 7Children do not start school until age 7

No special classes for gifted studentsNo special classes for gifted students

15 minutes unstructured outdoor play for every 45 minutes of 15 minutes unstructured outdoor play for every 45 minutes of class timeclass time

Moved substantial amount of classroom time outdoors Moved substantial amount of classroom time outdoors

OTHER BENEFITSOTHER BENEFITS

Accentuate the senses--a child’s first line of Accentuate the senses--a child’s first line of self defenseself defense

Psychological survival skills--help them detect Psychological survival skills--help them detect real dangerreal danger

Self-confidenceSelf-confidence

OTHER BENEFITSOTHER BENEFITS

Sense of place—larger fabric on which our Sense of place—larger fabric on which our lives dependlives depend EarthEarth WaterWater AirAir Other living thingsOther living things

Can contemplate infinity and eternityCan contemplate infinity and eternity Stress reductionStress reduction

REASON FOR THE PROBLEMREASON FOR THE PROBLEM Halloween terrorism (candy/razor blades/drugs)Halloween terrorism (candy/razor blades/drugs)

76 stories from 1958-198476 stories from 1958-1984-New York Times-New York Times-Chicago Tribune-Chicago Tribune-L.A. Times-L.A. Times-Fresno Bee-Fresno Bee

No actual occurrencesNo actual occurrences(California State, Fresno – Sociology Dept.)(California State, Fresno – Sociology Dept.)

REASON FOR THE PROBLEMREASON FOR THE PROBLEM

Fear of abductionFear of abduction

missing children:missing children: Not 4000 per year as some missing children Not 4000 per year as some missing children

organizations claimorganizations claim But, between 200 & 300But, between 200 & 300 Most abductors not strangers, but family members Most abductors not strangers, but family members

or someone the family knewor someone the family knew(Univ. New Hampshire and U.S. Justice Dept.—1990)(Univ. New Hampshire and U.S. Justice Dept.—1990)

REASON FOR THE PROBLEMREASON FOR THE PROBLEM

Fear of outdoor dangers (Biophobia):Fear of outdoor dangers (Biophobia):-biting insects-biting insects-spiders-spiders-snakes-snakes-lightning-lightning-poison ivy-poison ivy

Fear of liabilityFear of liability

REASON FOR THE PROBLEMREASON FOR THE PROBLEM

GPS braceletGPS bracelet

Reduces Children’s survival skillsReduces Children’s survival skills Ability to recognize:Ability to recognize:

Dangerous peopleDangerous people Dangerous conditionsDangerous conditions

REASON FOR THE PROBLEMREASON FOR THE PROBLEM

Fear of trafficFear of traffic -Dogs kept in a pen – greater traffic risk than those -Dogs kept in a pen – greater traffic risk than those

which grow up road-wisewhich grow up road-wise

WHAT CAN WE DOWHAT CAN WE DO

Recognize connection of unstructured outdoor Recognize connection of unstructured outdoor play with children’s :play with children’s :

Physical healthPhysical health Mental healthMental health Intellectual abilityIntellectual ability SafetySafety

WHAT CAN WE DO?WHAT CAN WE DO?

Critical to Child Development and Health, Yet Critical to Child Development and Health, Yet not mentioned in: not mentioned in:

Child Development literatureChild Development literature Medical journalsMedical journals Mainstream educational journalsMainstream educational journals Parenting magazines Parenting magazines

WHAT CAN WE DO?WHAT CAN WE DO?

Educate:Educate: ParentsParents Teachers/University Education ProfessionalsTeachers/University Education Professionals Medical and Health ProfessionalsMedical and Health Professionals Child Development ProfessionalsChild Development Professionals

Build more natural spaces:Build more natural spaces: City parksCity parks SchoolsSchools Homes/neighborhoodsHomes/neighborhoods

WHAT CAN WE DO?WHAT CAN WE DO?

As individuals:As individuals:

Remember your first pleasant outdoor experienceRemember your first pleasant outdoor experience

Take children outdoorsTake children outdoors One or moreOne or more Your childrenYour children Your neighbor’s childrenYour neighbor’s children Your grandchildrenYour grandchildren

My experience with my grandchildrenMy experience with my grandchildren