Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

Indeed, a 2002 British study reported that eight-year-olds could identify Pokémon characters far more easily than they could name "otter, beetle, and oak tree." Gathering thoughts from parents, teachers, researchers, environmentalists and other concerned parties, Louv argues for a return to an awareness of and appreciation for the natural world. Not only can nature teach kids science and nurture their creativity, he says, nature needs its children: where else will its future stewards come from? Louv's book is a call to action, full of warnings—but also full of ideas for change. From Publishers WeeklyToday's kids are increasingly disconnected from the natural world, says child advocacy expert Louv (Childhood's Future; Fatherlove; etc.), even as research shows that "thoughtful exposure of youngsters to nature can be a powerful form of ther

What's more, nature is a potent therapy for depression, obesity, and Add. There are solutions, though, and they're right in our own backyards. Today, average eight-year-olds are better able to identify cartoon characters than native species, such as beetles and oak trees, in their own community. "I like to play indoors better 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are," reports a fourth-grader. Even creativity is stimulated by childhood experiences in nature.. Last child in the Woods is the first book to bring together cutting-edge research showing that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development-physical, emotional, and spiritual. This alienation damages children and shapes adults, families, and communities. Nature-deficit disorder is not a medical condition; it is a description of the human costs of alienation from nature. Some startling facts: By the 1990s the radius around the home where children were allowed to roam on their own had shrunk to a ninth of what it had been in 1970. Never before in history have children been so plugged in-and so out of touch with the natural world. Environment-based education dramatically improves standardized test scores and grade point averages and develops skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making. In this groundbreaking new work, child advocacy expert Richard Louv directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today's wired generation-he calls it nature deficit-to some of

Totally missed the obvious I liked the author's ideas, and his arguments, and agree wholeheartedly with his sentiment. I think he's a great person, and I'm glad this book brought this very important issue into the public discussion. However, he totally missed the root cause of the problem he is addressing, and thereby missed the answer to the dilemma. Children don't spend enough. "A must read for parents and educators" according to Kelly T. I'm so glad this was required reading for me in grad school. A truly eye opening book. It forever changed my thinking as both a parent and teacher. I hope more people educate themselves about the importance of outdoor free play. The US is doing it wrong and our children are suffering for it.. The new special ed C. Lampos As a special ed teacher in an urban school, this book really hit dead on to the problems facing the children of this decade/century. Nature Deficit Disorder is not a coming crisis, it is already here and the author documents the history, and solutions for this tragedy. I love the book and have recommended it to biologists and other educators. They may