According to a report compiled by Stephen Moss on behalf of the National Trust, the education and health of UK kids is suffering as they spend less time with nature. Parents worrying about children’s safety, large volumes of traffic and computer and video games keeps children indoors rather than playing outside, experiencing the natural world. The report is part of a consultation to tackle “nature deficit disorder” in children, who say they are happier playing outdoors with friends than owning more technology, according to the findings of the paper.
According to Stephen Moss, who was the producer of Springwatch, a BBC TV programme, children learn valuable skills while playing outdoors. For instance, they learn about teamwork while having disagreements, reaching compromise and working together. Since the 1970s, rates of child obesity and the numbers of children who self harm or have a mental health disorder have shot up in the UK.
Richard Louv, an author created the phrase “nature deficit disorder” in 2005 when he argued that:
“diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses” were the result of “alienation from nature”.
The effects of children playing outdoors far less since the seventies, are now being displayed in today’s adults who have rising levels of obesity. The National Trust wants more to be done to encourage people to help make it safe for kids to play outside again, helping children make the connection with nature.
