Last Child in the Woods Saving our Children from the Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv has brought up many situations, question and topics which I personally can relate to. The topic Nature Deficit disorder has brought much connection to my mind as well as in the mind of Richard Louv. My parents have told me of the time when they were kids, where they spent every waking moment outdoors whether it be in the neighborhood parks or forests. They tell me of how “times have changed since they were kids” where kids would rather play videos games together or watch television, then play cops and robbers outside. Another connection I made with Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods came when Louv spoke of the spiritual and emotional connections he and young children around the world have experienced.
“She said that my life is being subsumed by yours and that it’s as though I’ve joined some sort of eco-cult and you are the cult leader” (Beaven-75). When Colin contacted his family, he received a similar reaction. His plan was “instead of two three-day trips at Thanksgiving and Christmas” they would “take one weeklong trip for one holiday and stay home and relax for the other” (Beaven-82). His mother did not understand because “the train will run whether you are on it or not” (Beaven-82) and that his sister would be devastated that they would be missing his baby shower. I can only imagine what my family would do if I said something to them like Colin and Michelle did to theirs.
During the time of their parent’s childhood, children were sent outside to play and called in at mealtimes. In today’ society, children are guarded and taught to stay closer to home just in case the neighbors are “bad people” who will cause them physical, mental or emotional harm. Not only does over protectiveness play a role in our children’s lack of physical activity, but they do not receive encouragement in school either. School’s offering Physical Education have declined 30% over the past decade while television teaching has increased over 30% in the past decade (Child and Adolescent Obesity). Where do we as a society place the blame for so many children being obese?
Reflective Account for Health and Safety When I was in the playground I saw a box of toys at the edge of a shelf, I quickly went over and removed it from there because it was a hazard for the children passing by as it could’ve dropped down on them. When I go to P.E I make sure there is enough safety mats out for apparatus being used. I have not had to report any concerns about safety equipment but in P.E we have safety mats and if I feel they were damaged I would tell the teacher and also report to the caretaker who will dispose of it and replace it. I was helping year 2 make old treasure maps and to make the paper look old we used teabags to stain the paper, they also had a choice of making holes or scrunching the paper. I made
After bringing Ben back to the house the children started to stay away from the house. Jane was quiet and to herself but went to her friends house after school. Paul did come home but he was often in tears, whined alot and stared for long hours at nothing. He was too thin because of his malnutritioned appatite. He didnt concentrate on important things, he daydreemed and mooned restlesly.The problem with Paul was that he didn’t have a mother at the time when he was growing, which is why he turned out this way.
On an online debate website, a student speaks out about thru experiences with homework communicating.” We kids nowadays have a lot of stuff to do. By the time we get home the day is almost over and we dinner and sports (Debate.org).” We have seven hours of school and when u get home with homework (tons) and you have dinner and sports so if we had less homework we would be able to eat dinner or eat late and no sports. On Scholastic news have parents interviewed about how less homework we should have.” What’s bad for” parents, is generally worse for kids.” School (for my son) is work,” one mother writes,” and by the end of a seven-hour workday, he’s exhausted. But like a worker on a double shift, he has to keep going once he gets home. (NEA Today).” Seven hours is a lot of the day working all day and we never stop five days a week and we have homework which is bad for us, it makes us tired.” Decades ago, the American Educational Research Association released this statement: “Whenever homework crowds out social experience, outdoor recreation, and creative activities, and whenever it usurps time that should be devoted to sleep (Scholastic news).” Kids need to play outside and have a social life they need to enjoy their free time but there is no free time because of all the homework.
Back in Twains time kids would run around outside and play cowboys and Indians. The way kids entertain themselves has greatly changed. We see this change when Huck goes and plays with his friends. He started a gang called the ‘Tom Sawyer Gang” and they’d pretend that they were a group of robbers looking for treasure. Todays kids are not going outside as much, are overweight and unhealthy in part because instead of going outside and playing they much rather sit inside and play online games with their friends.
Three- year old Raul frequently takes other children’s toys from them, showing little concern for their feeling, even when they cry. When he does this, his mother tells him to imagine how other kids feel when they lose their toys. To explain Raul’s antisocial behavior, I will use my understanding of cognitive development and research on cognitive development. His mother’s comment is unlikely to influence his behavior, because of his inability to perceive or understand the world from another’s perspective. This is called Egocentrism.
You’re upset and very angry. Normally you would probably go home and just lock it away or maybe pick on your little siblings. But instead you go to your schools paintball field and take on a few players. Being able to shoot some paint can be very satisfying. This would be away for students to vent their anger and frustration into something that isn’t as harmful.
Kids Who Play in the Dirt Have Stronger Immune Systems (NaturalNews) Since the nineteen fifties, parents have been meticulous about their young children not getting dirty. The 'germ theory' of disease has caused almost a phobic reaction to anything that smacks of grit. Babies are kept in playpens so they won't get in the mud (and also to allow the parents freedom to put their attention elsewhere than on the kiddos). If the baby is put on the floor, a large blanket protects from the elements. Big sister has to police the little one to make sure the boundaries are kept.