Children and Nature

Research has shown that children who are in touch with their natural environment are healthier, do better in school, have increased creativity and improved concentration.

This has sparked a national movement to reunite children with nature - making kids happier, healthier and smarter. Many individuals and organizations are joining this exciting and important movement, and Ohioans are leading the way. The Explore the Outdoors program is designed to ignite interest in the outdoors and for Ohio’s children to experience the benefits of being connected to their natural world. We hope you’ll join us in making this campaign a success and ensuring that our future generations understand and believe in the benefits of the great outdoors.

Nature Deficit Disorder

According to Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, Nature Deficit Disorder is the result of children spending less time outdoors and losing their connection to the natural world. Louv attributes this to a wide range of developmental and behavioral problems in today’s children.

Causes

• Parental fear of "stranger danger"
• Restricted access to natural areas
• Increased time spent indoors
  • Sixty percent of children age 2 to 5 do not have access to daily outdoor play
  • Average child watches TV or plays computer games more than 7 hours per day

Effects

• Lack of stamina in America’s youth
• Slower muscle development
• Lower levels of Vitamin D
• Childhood obesity rate has tripled
• Increase in attention deficit disorder, depression and anxiety