Transcripts

Richard Louv :
No matter how much we say we like nature the truth is that the meta-message sent to kids by parents, by educators, by the media, is that nature isn't where the future is. Electronics is where the future is.

Richard Louv, author of the book, Last Child in the Woods Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder…

So it's no surprise to me that I interview kids all the time who say, as one little boy said, "I prefer to play indoors because that's where all the electrical outlets are."

There is new research that suggests that exposing our kids to nature is critical, says Richard.

Not watching "National Geographic" specials on TV, which is fine. But actually getting them out and getting their hands dirty and their feet wet. And spending time in nature for kids is not an extracurricular activity, it's not a "nice to have," it should be considered essential to healthy childhood development. And it looks like from this research that, that is very true. In terms of paying attention, kids with ADHD, their symptoms go down, stress levels plummet for kids when they're exposed to direct contact with nature, test scores go up, attendance goes up, even SAT scores go up. There's an enormous amount of good news that we're just now getting even as kids are being broken away from nature more than any time in history.

You can link to Richard's website from ours: somethingyoushouldknow.net - I'm Mike Carruthers and that's Something You Should Know.