CHILDREN IN NATURE

1. CHILDREN IN NATURE Jim Byford

2. PEOPLE AND LAND A DISCONNECT

3. “LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS” By Richard Louv

4. Problem • Too few children having unstructured play outdoors.

5. MORE THAN AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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)

9. 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)

10. TOO BUSY WITH STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES Directed Attention =Directed Attention Fatigue • Too Much: -impulsive behavior -agitation -irritation -inability to concentrate (University of Michigan)

11. 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

12. 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 Development-2003)

13. ECOPHOBIA • Fear of ecological deterioration • Classrooms – filled with examples of environmental abuse • Lacking direct experience with nature: - fear of apocalypse -not joy and wonder

14. BENEFITSOF UNSTRUCTURED OUTDOORPLAY

15. OBESITY AND FITNESS More outdoor play: = more exercise = less obesity = better fitness

16. 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)

17. ADHD • Being close to nature=better attention span (New York State College of Human Ecology)

18. ADHD • Even view of green through a window reduces ADHD symptoms (University of Illinois Human Environmental Research Lab)

19. CRIME RATE AND DRUG ABUSE Often associated with: • Boredom • Desperation • Low self-esteem • Poor social skills

20. 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

21. 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)

22. 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

23. STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES In an effort to increase standardized test scores, school leaders have: • Cut out play time • Turned playgrounds into parking lots • Spent more money on brick and mortar classrooms, and computer technology

24. STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES • Finland outscored 31 other countries • 1st place in literacy • Top 5 in Math and Science • U.S. in the middle of the pack

25. 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

26. OTHER BENEFITS • Accentuate the senses--a child’s first line of self defense • Psychological survival skills--help them detect real danger • Self-confidence

27. OTHER BENEFITS • Sense of place—larger fabric on which our lives depend • Earth • Water • Air • Other living things • Can contemplate infinity and eternity • Stress reduction

28. 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.)

29. REASON FOR THE PROBLEM • Fear of abduction missing children: • 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)

30. REASON FOR THE PROBLEM • Fear of outdoor dangers (Biophobia): -biting insects -spiders -snakes -lightning -poison ivy • Fear of liability

31. REASON FOR THE PROBLEM • GPS bracelet • Reduces Children’s survival skills • Ability to recognize: • Dangerous people • Dangerous conditions

32. REASON FOR THE PROBLEM • Fear of traffic • -Dogs kept in a pen – greater traffic risk than those which grow up road-wise

33. WHAT CAN WE DO • Recognize connection of unstructured outdoor play with children’s : • Physical health • Mental health • Intellectual ability • Safety

34. WHAT CAN WE DO? Critical to Child Development and Health, Yet not mentioned in: • Child Development literature • Medical journals • Mainstream educational journals • Parenting magazines

35. WHAT CAN WE DO? • Educate: • Parents • Teachers/University Education Professionals • Medical and Health Professionals • Child Development Professionals • Build more natural spaces: • City parks • Schools • Homes/neighborhoods

36. WHAT CAN WE DO? • As individuals: • Remember your first pleasant outdoor experience • Take children outdoors • One or more • Your children • Your neighbor’s children • Your grandchildren • My experience with my grandchildren