Richard Louv, Chairman of the Children & Nature Network and author of the Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder wrote “Nature-deficit disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses.” He goes on to state “… new studies suggest that exposure to nature may reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and that it can improve all children’s cognitive abilities and resistance to negative stresses and depression.”

Infants: Stroller Explorer: Put infants in a stroller and go for a “nature walk” everyday. Go birding, and talk about the sounds the birds make and the colors of their feathers. Put up a bird feeder to encourage birds to come visit the children.

Toddlers: Wonder Bowl: Liz Baird, originator of “Take a Child Outside Week” suggests that there should be a “wonder bowl” in each house or classroom where children can put their “nature treasures” everyday. I suggest that the children can talk about them and where they were found at meeting time in their classrooms or at dinner or bedtime when they are home.

Preschoolers: Hidden Universe: Find a scrap board and place it on bare dirt. Come back in a day or two, lift the board, and see how many species of insects have found shelter there. Return to the hidden universe each week to discover what new creatures have found a new place to live.

Resources: The following are some suggestions for good nature books for children and families that may be available from your local libraries.