About Leave No Child Inside
of Greater Cincinnati
Leave No Child Inside of Greater Cincinnati is a collaboration of organizations and individuals educating the community that time spent in nature is essential for the physical, mental and emotional health of all children.
What is Happening Nationally
The No Child Left Inside Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 19, 2008 with a vote of 293 in favor, 109 against and 31 not voting. The act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes and others, was inspired by Richard Louv's book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. It provides funding for training teachers in environmental education and for expanding environmental education programs. Click here for more information on this bill and how you can help.
Farm Bill Encourages
School Gardens
The Farm Bill recently passed by Congress contains a provision for school vegetable gardening programs in high poverty areas. Although the focus of this program is to promote nutrition education, research shows that gardening has a multitude of "fringe benefits" for children – a healthier environment, stress reduction and many other benefits related to experiential learning, including increased understanding of science.
QUEST Television Series Explores Nature-Deficit Disorder
On May 12, San Francisco's KQED Public Television series QUEST aired this special report on why we need nature, and efforts to encourage children to play outdoors.
Now Available
New
Edition of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from
Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv.
This new edition of the book which inspired an international Leave No Child Inside movement includes updated research from the U.S. and abroad confirming that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional wellbeing of children and adults. It also includes a Field Guide, Progress Report on the Leave No Child Inside Movement and Discussion Points to inspire community-wide conversations.
Good Things Happening
Winners of the Child-Friendly Backyard Contest Announced
We know that unstructured outdoor play leads to happier, healthier and smarter children! Last summer, Leave No Child Inside – Greater Cincinnati sponsored a Child-Friendly Backyard Contest as a fun way to encourage parents to allocate space in their yards for safe, unstructured play. On Wednesday, October 15, 2008, the contest winners were announced and received recognition at the Cincinnati Horticultural Society's Amateur Gardener's Awards Ceremony.
Congratulations to Vickie and Jen of
What Really Matters
Vicky Thornton and Jen Rehberger of the Vicky and Jen Show were early supporters of Leave No Child Inside-Greater Cincinnati when they interviewed Richard Louv during his visit here in 2007. Vicky and Jen have just announced that they will celebrate their 100th podcast on October 22, 2008. Their popular show, What
Really Matters, helps busy families stay informed on a variety of topics. Visit www.vickyandjen.com to download podcasts on a variety of family topics, including the interview with Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.
Need a Speaker? Let Us Know
Did you know that Leave No Child Inside-Greater Cincinnati has a speakers bureau for presentations to community organizations? If you are interested in a program about the importance of time spent in nature to the physical, mental and emotional health of all children, click here to contact us.
Movement Spread Through Ohio
Leave
No Child Inside – Greater Cincinnati is sharing its logo, created
by graphic designer Jan Kiefhaber, with the new Leave No Child INSIDE
Central Ohio Collaborative. It is our hope that by sharing brand
identity with other grassroots initiatives, we will increase awareness
of movement throughout the State of Ohio.
For Parents and Mentors:
Get those kids outside!!!
Leave No Child Inside-Greater Cincinnati's Grow Outside Guide to Outdoor Play, including The Child-Friendly Backyard, is available online.
