Nature Deficit Disorder – Get Kids Outside

The Night Primeval at Cherokee Marsh: Christ the Solid Rock and Madison Audubon Society

Nature Deficit Disorder, No child left inside, Trips / Diane Schwartz

When the marsh wakes up, it does so with a riot of prehistoric sounds. Cranes bugle. Chorus frogs sing, blackbirds scold, and the woodcock peents, just like they have done for thousands of years. Even if you never see anything, the sounds tell us that life is everywhere. On April 17, members of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church […]

The Night Primeval at Cherokee Marsh: Christ the Solid Rock and Madison Audubon Society Read More »

Is Physical Inactivity the New Normal?

Nature Deficit Disorder, No child left inside / Diane Schwartz

Do you walk less than you used to? Do you watch more television? Do you spend more time at the computer? Are you getting older and moving less?* Do you drive your kids to school even though they could walk or ride their bikes? Is your job more sedentary than it used to be? Do

Is Physical Inactivity the New Normal? Read More »

Researchers find time in wild boosts creativity, insight and problem solving

Nature Deficit Disorder, No child left inside / Diane Schwartz

It’s nice to see research that validates what I’ve known for years: that being outside is as good for the mind as it is for the body and soul. Click the link for full story from Learn from Nature. Researchers find time in wild boosts creativity, insight and problem solving.

Researchers find time in wild boosts creativity, insight and problem solving Read More »

There ought to be a law: Wisconsin Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights

Nature Deficit Disorder, No child left inside, Outdoor Legislation / Diane Schwartz

This may seem like a no brainer, but in today’s world of competing interests and childhood obesity we can no longer assume that kids are getting outside. Come to a public hearing on January 5th from 10 am to 2 pm at the State Capitol to promote the Wisconsin Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. Meet the bill’s

There ought to be a law: Wisconsin Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights Read More »

Why kids don’t walk and what we can do about it

Nature Deficit Disorder, No child left inside, Personal Reflections, Working with Low Income Children / Diane Schwartz

I hated walking as a kid and would beg my mom to drive me places. “You can walk,” she’d say and then explain how when SHE was a girl she had to WALK 100 miles just to get to the bus stop…” Okay, I exaggerate a little, but I truly hated walking. Other kids got

Why kids don’t walk and what we can do about it Read More »

Two Cool Things: Nature Hike made Easy

Nature Deficit Disorder, No child left inside / Diane Schwartz

Looking for an easy Nature Hike? Just ask the kids to find two cool things. I did this with a small group of Kindergarten and First Graders and was amazed by the results. Joe immediately found a crack on the ground. “Maybe there’s magma down there,” he said enthusiastically. He then started to dig in

Two Cool Things: Nature Hike made Easy Read More »

Nature as Tonic for ADHD: Louv Part 3

Nature Deficit Disorder / Diane Schwartz

This is the third installment of reflections from the book: Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv. It makes intuitive sense that kids diagnosed with ADHD would benefit from outdoor activities. I’m glad that Louv’s book is full of research to back this up. In a study done at the

Nature as Tonic for ADHD: Louv Part 3 Read More »

Sidetracked from Louv… Spring Reflection

Nature Deficit Disorder / Diane Schwartz

I hope to get back to reading and responding to Louv’s book this week. The Big Burn sidetracked me along with various other projects. I am growing ever more convinced that providing outdoor experiences for kids is one of THE most important things we can do to help them as they grow up. That said,

Sidetracked from Louv… Spring Reflection Read More »

Last child in the woods: Part 2

Nature Deficit Disorder / Diane Schwartz

I agree with Louv that we are making outdoor play more structured. In my work, all the activities are structured. We hike, we ski and we skate as a group. We are not just letting the kids go off and explore on their own. As a staff member working with other people’s kids, I do

Last child in the woods: Part 2 Read More »

Last child in the woods: Part 1-Nature Deficit Disorder

Nature Deficit Disorder / Diane Schwartz

This is the first installment of my comments about the book: Last child in the woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv. About 6 months into my job, a volunteer said, “So, you’ve probably read about Richard Louv, right?” I hadn’t. He told me a little about him and I Googled

Last child in the woods: Part 1-Nature Deficit Disorder Read More »