Aug 7
Great news in the movement to reconnect children with nature
The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) just released its impressive 2016 Annual Report on the progress that has been made in its ten years of building a movement to reconnect children with nature. C&NN was founded in response to a call to action from Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Published in 2005, the book brought attention to the fact that today’s children spend less time in nature than any generation in human history, and it is having a negative impact on their physical, mental, emotional health. The book also…
Apr 15
Vitamin N!
Richard Louv's new book, Vitamin N, sheds even more light on just how important nature is for our health and well-being, and that of our communities. NPR's Diane Rehm recently interviewed Louv, along with Jonathan Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service, and Robert Zarr, MD. Together, they make a compelling case for spending more time in nature, and discuss what is being done nationally to create nearby nature in our increasingly urban world. Click on the link to tune in - it is well worth the time! But be forewarned - it may inspire you to pick up a copy of Vitamin…
Apr 14
Nature-Based Education Growing
Green schoolyards provide a sensory-rich environment for learning which is shown to help students focus their attention and increase their engagement, while providing a myriad of physical and mental health benefits. Two recent news stories highlight nature-based learning: The Cincinnati Enquirer reported on a Forest Kindergarten in Yellow Springs, Ohio and the CBS Morning Show featured author Richard Louv at the Chattahoochee Charter School, a nature-based school where test scores are exceeding both the national and regional averages. Leave No Child Inside is working with local schools to encourage outdoor learning and we look forward to announcing progress on that front in the coming months! In…
Jan 5
Play Date for 50,000 in Central Park
News of the movement to get kids back outside seems to be everywhere these days, but this event in New York City is worthy of special mention! A coalition called Play for Tomorrow hosted a Giant Block Party, expecting to attract 10,000 people. To their surprise, 50,000 showed up to participate in games like I Spy and drawing on the sidewalk with chalk (hop scotch, perhaps!). Read about it here.
Oct 26
Richard Louv speaks to American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics has invited Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, to speak at their national conference in October, 2010. This is evidence of the growing recognition of the critical role that nature plays in healthy childhood development. The AAP also recently published a paper, "Build with Recreation in Mind". An estimated 32% of American children are overweight, and physical inactivity contributes to this high prevalence of overweight. This policy statement highlights how the built environment of a community affects children's opportunities for physical activity. Read more...
Jul 26
New Fact Sheet Summarizes Benefits of Gardening for Children
Gardening provides different forms of engagement for children, including designing, planting, and maintaining gardens; harvesting, preparing, and sharing food; working cooperatively in groups; learning about science and nutrition; and creating art and stories inspired by gardens. Click here to read more about this report from the Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design.
Feb 21
The Importance of Unstructured Play
Although this piece from National Public Radio does not deal specifically with play outdoors, it supports the importance of unstructured play to healthy childhood development. Click here for information on how unstructured play affects a child's cognitive and emotional development, including self-discipline.
Nov 18
Leave No Child Inside movement gains momentum!
Leave No Child Inside movement gains momentum! USA Weekend | November 18, 2007 The movement to reconnect children and nature is growing daily. Local initiatives continue to spring up all over the country, including Wilmington and Columbus here in Ohio. The weekend section of USA today, with readership of 47.5 million people, recently featured a special report on "Raising Healthier Kids". The article included interviews with USA Weekend's health expert and Dallas Cooper Clinic president, Tedd Mitchell, MD, Martha Farrell Erickson, PhD, director of the Center for Early Education and Development at the University of Minnesota and Richard Louv, author of "Last…
Oct 26
Movement to reconnect kids with nature growing nationwide
Movement to reconnect kids with nature growing nationwide The Nation's Health | October 2007 The intersection between healthy people and a healthy environment is becoming clearer every day, with public health advocates emerging as crucial defenders of sustaining clean water and skies far into the future. Read the Full Story (.pdf) »
Apr 26
Leave No Child Inside: The growing movement to reconnect children and nature
Leave No Child Inside: The growing movement to reconnect children and nature Orion Magazine | March/April 2007 The March/April issue of Orion magazine, with their article on Leave No Child Inside, has inspired a national dialog on the topic. Read the article and blogs to see what parents, educators, hospitals, environmental groups and others around the country are thinking (and doing!) about the movement to reconnect children and nature Read this article »
