Does your kid have Nature Deficit Disorder?

N-D-D is not a medical diagnosis, but the effects of it can be disastrous to ones health. Richard Louv coined the phrase and has written many books that examine N-D-D, its causes and how to reverse it. These books have provided insight for me in all of my research of shinrin-yoku, hiking, and forest bathing. Since reading his books, and seeing how letting my son roam around the woods has been good for him, Richard Louv has become my absolute favorite author.

Nature Deficit Disorder is caused by a disconnection with the natural world. Children these days spend more time connected to electronic devices than ever. When my mom was younger, her and her best friend would ride their bikes for up to sixteen miles unsupervised. My mom allowed my best friend and I to walk or ride about five miles when I was growing up. If we continue down this pattern, my son's generation will get even less. This isn't just about stranger danger not letting us ride our bikes as children. This is about the deeper connection to nature that is missing and what it is doing to us and our children.

So, what is N-D-D doing to our children?

These stats above SHOULD SCARE YOU.

OUR habits are affecting our children's health in negative ways. 

The changes WE HAVE MADE are causing problems for our children that they will not know how correct. 

What are the benefits of reconnecting with nature?

Luckily, people are starting to realize what is happening here and many groups are working to reverse these trends. Would you be reading this if you didn't understand that something like this might be going on? I understood the underlying principles before reading any of Richard Louv's books. If you want to know more, I highly suggest reading these books. If you want to correct it, I encourage you to get out there, explore, but more importantly, let your kids explore. Let them climb, let them get dirty. It will be one of the greatest lessons you'll ever teach them.

Sources: Richard Louv's writings and the presentations below