Louv Stresses Need for Children to Experience Nature

“. . .Passion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands of the young. If we are going to save the environment, we must save the child in nature.”

Richard Louv’s most recent book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder (Algonquin Books, Spring 2005) asserts that computers, video games, social fears and overly-structured children’s lives play a major role in their alienation from the natural world.

Louv, author of seven books about family, nature and community, points out that kids can talk about environmental issues, but not about the birds and trees in their yards. He cites research as well as the observations of experts showing that a child’s exposure to nature can have a healing, creative and therapeutic effect.

Louv posses the question, “If children do not know and appreciate nature, how can they be expected to be future stewards of the natural world?”. He suggests that change may begin simply with a walk and a child’s hand in yours. “Healing the broken bond between our young and nature is in our self-interest, not only because aesthetics or justice demand it, but also because our mental, physical and spiritual health depend upon it.”

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