How to Stop Nature Deficit Disorder in Its Tracks
How to Stop Nature Deficit Disorder in Its Tracks
Kimberly Hayes (kimberly@publichealthalert.info)
Bingeing Netflix, playing video games, and scrolling through social media are just a few of the ways that children spend much of their leisure time these days. So it’s no wonder that the concept of nature-deficit disordering (NDD) is ringing truer than ever before. Fortunately, you can turn things around if your kids are not spending enough time in nature. Or, if you’re about to be a parent, you can resolve to make outdoor time a part of your family’s routine — Wildlife Around the World shares some tips to consider below.
Backyard Fun
A world of fun awaits you and your family. All you have to do is open the door and step outside into your yard! From building a treehouseto playing volleyball or other backyard games like Capture the Flag, a wide variety of activities — including planting a kid-friendly garden — can help keep your kids active in that fresh air their lungs have been craving.
Indoor Nature Activities
For those days when the weather is bad, Take Them Outside suggests bringing Mother Nature indoors to keep the kiddos busy with fun ideas like indoor gardening, putting photos of the great outdoors on the walls, and even a worm composting factory! Make it a point to clear out any negative energy from your living space so that indoor play (and your home in general) is calm and free of stress.
Community Fun
Whether you’re going for a family walk or heading to the local park for some swimming or a scavenger hunt, there’s lots of fun to be had in your hometown — including even more great games to play at the park with your kids. Rugby is a fantastic way to get the kids out and active, and be part of a team, too – get them involved and watch them take off!
Introduce Them to Wildlife
Children are fascinated by wildlife, and there are many benefits to safely introducing them to animals. For one, it can help them develop a respect for nature and an understanding of the important role that animals play in the ecosystem. Additionally, interacting with animals can provide children with a sense of responsibility and empathy. Finally, spending time in nature has been shown to improve mental and physical health. Of course, it is important to take some precautions when bringing children into contact with wildlife. Teaching them to approach animals cautiously and from a distance is crucial. By taking some simple steps, you can help your child enjoy all the benefits that come from interacting with nature.
Learning Opportunities
Want to see your kids learning while they exercise? Try these fun, educational activities that are guaranteed to keep your children interested.
- Growing Healthy Kids has 21 Great Outdoor Learning Activities for Springtime
- 4 Fun Ways to Teach Kids How to Garden
- Astronomy for Beginners: How to Get Started with Stargazing
Most of the time, encouraging kids to spend more time outdoors is as simple as finding fun activities for them to do. Whether it’s activities for the individual, friends, or family, there are surely ones out there that your child will enjoy. If you don’t see any on this list that would interest your child, keep looking until you find something they do like.
