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From Screen Time to Nature Time: Helping Your Child Break Free of Nature-Deficit Disorder
Sunlight comes with a plethora of benefits for kids, from boosting overall health to improving social functioning. So, if you’re like so many other parents, you may find it a little concerning when your child spends most of their time indoors engaging with electronic devices.
Enter “nature-deficit disorder,” a phrase coined by Richard Louv in 2005 to lament the decline of children engaging in nature-specific activities. While it’s easy to understand how technological advancement has led to NDD over time, it’s important to know that your child doesn’t have to deal with the disorder. With that in mind, Jonathan Warner from Thinker Fit shares some important resources to help you turn some of your child’s screen time into nature time.
Try Out a Family Adventure
From hiking, backpacking, fishing, disc golfing or canoeing, there are plenty of outdoor activities you can enjoy as a family. You’ll get plenty of nature time together while enjoying the opportunity to bond.
- Backpacking with Kids Tips
- Tips for Canoeing with Young Children
- Family Time: Fun Nature Walks
Turn to Your Backyard
On days when you need to stay closer to home, let your backyard help your children get in tune with nature. Who knows? Any additions or changes could do double-duty, giving you more space to enjoy and a bump in your home’s value.
- 31 Fun Backyard Activities You and Your Family Will Enjoy
- Camping at Home: 12 Fun Ideas for Camping in Your Backyard
- Teaching Kids to Garden: Tips and Activities
- Tips for Rock Hunting with Young Kids
With so many outdoor activities to enjoy, you don’t have to let your child suffer from NDD. Consider all the opportunities listed here for your child and the whole family to spend more time outside, and keep on the lookout for other ideas. By trading in some screen time for nature time, you’ll be setting everyone up for long-term health and wellness benefits.
WowScience provides links to the best primary science learning materials on the web, helping children to enjoy science both inside and outside the classroom. The resources, which cover a broad range of science subjects and are suitable for all primary ages, can be an excellent tool for teachers, students and their parents. If you have any questions or suggestions, let us know!
