Commentary News
Health
New York Times – April 15, 2009
New York Times: The Case for Natural Happiness
By Paul Bloom
Psychologist Paul Bloom, writing in the New York Times Magazine, offers a unique perspective on why maintaining a connection with nature is crucial for people. “Real natural habitats provide significant sources of pleasure for modern humans,” he writes. “We intuitively grasp this, and this knowledge underlies the anxiety that we feel about nature’s loss.”
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Media & Culture
The Canadian Press – December 09, 2008
Removal of Nature Words from Dictionary Causes Uproar
A decision by the publisher of the Oxford Junior Dictionary to replace words like “beaver” and “dandelion” with “blog” and “MP3 player” has prompted some to react with outrage. As noted wildlife artist and conservationist Robert Bateman observed, “If you can’t name things, how can you love them? And if you don't love them, then you’re not going to care a hoot about protecting them or voting for issues that would protect them.” [+]
Media & Culture
QUEST series focuses on Nature Deficit Disorder
On May 12, San Francisco's KQED Public Television series QUEST aired this special report on why we need nature, and efforts to encourage children to play outdoors.
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Education | Legislation/Policy
New York Times Magazine – April 29, 2009
New York Times Magazine: Kindergarten Cram
By Peggy Orenstein
Kindergarten has changed in the last few decades, and not necessarily for the better, writes Peggy Orenstein in the New York Times Magazine. Rather than letting children engage in free play, the typical kindergarten class today focuses on standardized tests and literacy exercises. Orenstein questions this trend, and finds support for her beliefs in the “Crisis in the Kindergarten” report by the Alliance for Childhood.
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Leadership
C&NN Natural Leader, Maya Quintana, Shares Her Thoughts on the Benefits of Time Spent in Nature
By Maya Melissa Quintana
Maya Quintana, a Native American from the pueblos of Cochiti and Zia, shares a transformational experience that helped her understand the benefits of time spent in nature. Maya attended the 2008 C&NN Grassroots Gathering in Nebraska as a founding member of C&NN's "Natural Leaders."
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Media & Culture
Idaho Statesman – December 23, 2008
Gift Ideas to Get Kids Outdoors
By Peter Zimowsky
Rather than waiting in line for the latest electronic gadget, parents should consider giving their children toys that encourage outdoor play. Writer Peter Zimowsky of the Idaho Statesman offers a number of suggestions, including compact binoculars and kid-sized fishing poles. He also reminds parents that giving an outdoors gift means committing to take their children fishing, hiking, birding, or sledding.
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Media & Culture
Anchorage Daily News – December 10, 2008
Our view: C’mon out and play—God didn’t make Alaska to celebrate the great indoors
Officials from local, state, and federal organizations gathered in Alaska recently for the Get Outdoors, Anchorage! summit to discuss nature-deficit disorder and its causes. The summit offered participants an opportunity to learn about successful efforts to reconnect children and nature and to identify opportunities in the region to engage children with nature. [+]
Health | Legislation/Policy
Wall Street Journal – August 13, 2008
WSJ: Why Safe Kids Are Becoming Fat Kids
By Philip K. Howard
The desire to insulate children from all forms of risk is having unintended consequences, writes attorney Philip Howard in the Wall Street Journal’s Commentary section. “The harmful effects of our national safety obsession ripple outward into society. One in six children in America is obese, and many of them will face a lifetime of chronic illness.”
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Health
Toronto Sun – July 13, 2008
Kids Should Be Free to Play, Author Says
By Marilyn Linton
The Toronto Sun talks with early-childhood expert Rae Pica about the importance of unstructured play in children’s lives. The author of A Running Start: How Play, Physical Activity and Free Time Create a Successful Child, Pica urges adults to let children find their own unique ways to entertain themselves, even if that means occasionally being bored. “Heaven forbid they get to adulthood,” she says, “and not know how to be alone with themselves and their thoughts.”
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As part of our ongoing efforts to build the movement, the Children & Nature Network has published two new resources for leaders, organizers, and participants at the local, national, and international levels:
An annotated bibliography of 20 premier studies focusing on the children and nature connection.
