Transcript document

CHILDREN IN NATURE
Jim Byford
PEOPLE AND LAND
A DISCONNECT
“LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS”
By
Richard Louv
Problem

Too few children having unstructured play
outdoors.
MORE THAN AN INTERESTING
OBSERVATION
OBESITY

20% of our children clinically obese
(quadrupled since the 1960’s)

36% increase in 2-5 year-olds (1989-99)
40% of 5-8 year-olds – cardiac risk
(Center for Disease Control)
POOR FITNESS

2/3 American children cannot pass basic
physical

40% (boys) and 70% (girls) 6-16 years-old
cannot do more than 1 pull-up
(President’s council on Fitness and Sports)
ADHD
(Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

Use of ritalin and dexedrine increased 600%
between 1990 and 1995

Side Effects
-Sleep disruption
-Depression
-Growth suppression– ½ inch per year
(National Institute of Mental Health)
ADHD

Each hour of TV watched by preschoolers
increases by 10% the likelihood of ADHD by
age 7.
(Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center – Seattle)
TOO BUSY WITH STRUCTURED
ACTIVITIES
Directed Attention =Directed Attention Fatigue
 Too Much:
-impulsive behavior
-agitation
-irritation
-inability to concentrate
(University of Michigan)
ALLERGIES

Recent increase in children’s allergies connected
with less time outdoors (National Geographic—May
2006)

Exposure to indoor air pollution, toxic molds,
carbon dioxide, and lead dust

Allergen level of newer sealed buildings can be
as much as 200 times that of older structures
LOW STANDARDIZED TEST
SCORES

US Children falling behind in math and
science

Of 31 countries, US children placed in the
middle
(Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development2003)
ECOPHOBIA

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Fear of ecological deterioration
Classrooms – filled with examples of
environmental abuse
Lacking direct experience with nature:
- fear of apocalypse
-not joy and wonder
BENEFITS
OF
UNSTRUCTURED OUTDOOR
PLAY
OBESITY AND FITNESS
More outdoor play:
= more exercise
= less obesity
= better fitness
ADHD

Two daycare centers:
-In one, children played outside every day
-In another, seldom played outside
-In the first, children had:


better motor coordination
more able to concentrate
(Swedish researchers)
ADHD

Being close to nature=better attention span
(New York State College of Human Ecology)
ADHD

Even view of green through a window reduces
ADHD symptoms
(University of Illinois Human Environmental Research Lab)
CRIME RATE AND DRUG ABUSE
Often associated with:

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Boredom
Desperation
Low self-esteem
Poor social skills
PLAY AREAS

When dominated by play structures:
-social hierarchy based on physical competence

After green, grassy area with shrubs:
-more fantasy play
-social hierarchy based more on



Language skills
Creativity
Inventiveness
STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

Children on asphalt--more interrupted play

Green playgrounds--children created long-term
play that continued day to day

20% higher standardized test scores
(Swedish Study)
STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

Video games/computer software-children use
creativity of others

Unstructured outdoor play:
-forts out of weed fields
-sailboats with leaves and sticks
-creativity, reasoning, physics principles
STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES
In an effort to increase standardized test scores,
school leaders have:

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Cut out play time
Turned playgrounds into parking lots
Spent more money on brick and mortar
classrooms, and computer technology
STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

Finland outscored 31 other countries

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
1st place in literacy
Top 5 in Math and Science
U.S. in the middle of the pack
STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES
Finland:

Children do not start school until age 7

No special classes for gifted students

15 minutes unstructured outdoor play for every 45 minutes of
class time

Moved substantial amount of classroom time outdoors
OTHER BENEFITS

Accentuate the senses--a child’s first line of
self defense

Psychological survival skills--help them detect
real danger

Self-confidence
OTHER BENEFITS

Sense of place—larger fabric on which our
lives depend
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Earth
Water
Air
Other living things
Can contemplate infinity and eternity
Stress reduction
REASON FOR THE PROBLEM

Halloween terrorism (candy/razor blades/drugs)

76 stories from 1958-1984
-New York Times
-Chicago Tribune
-L.A. Times
-Fresno Bee

No actual occurrences
(California State, Fresno – Sociology Dept.)
REASON FOR THE PROBLEM

Fear of abduction
missing children:
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Not 4000 per year as some missing children
organizations claim
But, between 200 & 300
Most abductors not strangers, but family members
or someone the family knew
(Univ. New Hampshire and U.S. Justice Dept.—1990)
REASON FOR THE PROBLEM

Fear of outdoor dangers (Biophobia):
-biting insects
-spiders
-snakes
-lightning
-poison ivy

Fear of liability
REASON FOR THE PROBLEM

GPS bracelet
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Reduces Children’s survival skills

Ability to recognize:
Dangerous people
 Dangerous conditions

REASON FOR THE PROBLEM

Fear of traffic

-Dogs kept in a pen – greater traffic risk than those
which grow up road-wise
WHAT CAN WE DO

Recognize connection of unstructured outdoor
play with children’s :
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Physical health
Mental health
Intellectual ability
Safety
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Critical to Child Development and Health, Yet
not mentioned in:
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Child Development literature
Medical journals
Mainstream educational journals
Parenting magazines
WHAT CAN WE DO?

Educate:
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Parents
Teachers/University Education Professionals
Medical and Health Professionals
Child Development Professionals
Build more natural spaces:
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City parks
Schools
Homes/neighborhoods
WHAT CAN WE DO?
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As individuals:
Remember your first pleasant outdoor experience
Take children outdoors
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One or more
Your children
Your neighbor’s children
Your grandchildren
My experience with my grandchildren