A recent study conducted in the UK concluded that we as humans and particularly our children are suffering from a modern illness known as ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’.
The cost of living in a city would have alienated human from nature. That is why despite the benefits of modern technology, in the last recent years, people are trying to return to some natural golden age by living surrounded by nature. However, that dream seems to be impossible for everybody considering that today population is over 7.7 billion. So, the majority of us will continue living in cities, despite all the negative sides encounter in this environment.
According to this research, nowadays children appear to have less freedom and less contact with nature due to a simple reason. Not living in a house with a garden or having limited access to an easily accessible outdoor space such as a park. But there is another reason. It seems that some parents find dangerous for kids to play outside in nature. However, some studies have provided surprising evidence that, in fact, the home is not a total ‘safe’ environment, it is actually where most of the accidents take place.
Research carried out by NHS in the UK, has noted that children’s cardiorespiratory fitness has decreased and on the other hand, childhood obesity is steadily increasing. Many researchers agreed that the decline in the time children spend outdoors is a contributing factor.
Overall this reported concluded:
‘Physical and mental health problems are the most obvious consequences of a lack of engagement with nature. There are more intangible problems which include declining emotional resilience and a reduction in the ability to assess risk which is vital life skills’.
Based on this research there are 50 things you should do before your 11 anniversary. I have highlighted some of them for you.
Climb a tree
Build a tent
Camp out in the wild
Run around in the rain
Eat an apple straight from the tree
Climb a huge hill
AND
Roll down a big hill
Go on a really long bike ride
Track wild animals
Discover what is on a pond
Make a home for a wild animal
Learn to ride a horse
Plant it, grow it and eat it
Hunt for fossils and bones
Not all the families nor all the schools can provide an adequate place to practice these activities. Nevertheless, baring them in mind will help you to plan for future activities especially in summer time. Today biggest problem for parents and teacher is to engage and retain kids interest in outdoor activities an in nature. Apparently, there is one phenomenon to blame, technology.
Not only kid's health is benefited from outside learning but also their curiosity. They develop better attitudes towards the environment and they can also learn surviving skills.
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