Brain Break: Child-Nature Gap

Welcome back! Today, I wanted to explore the growing child-nature gap and the implications on the mental health and wellbeing for the future generation; with inspiration drawn from “Children and Nature: The Great Disconnect” by Louv, R.

Within the span of a few decades, the ways in which children understand and interact with nature has changed dramatically. “The growing child-nature gap has profound implications for the future, including the mental, physical, and spiritual health of generations to come –and for the Earth itself” (p. 206). The author asserts that fear is one of the main reasons for parents not allowing their children the freedom they themselves enjoyed during childhood to roam and explore nature.

Furthermore, this fear is pervasive and is sending the message to children that “nature is the past, electronics is the future, and the boogeyman lives in the woods” (p. 207).

If steps are not taken to repair this broken alliance and correct these devastating messages, the earth and all its inhabitants will suffer. Ultimately, the way the young respond to nature now will impact the ways they teach their children to shape the configurations and conditions of daily life and functioning.

TLDR take aways

Here are some simple tips for busy parents:

1. Get outside with your children regularly and encourage a curiosity and respect for the natural world.

2. Practice being fully present while in nature- close your eyes to engage your other senses, take deep breaths to help you ground, and disconnect fully from technology even if only for a few brief moments.

3. Make nature fun with themed scavenger hunts, plant or tree identification trivia, and other games that promote knowledge and exploration.

4. Bring some outside into your home, whether that is in the form of a house plant, nature themed artwork, or scents that connect you to natural spaces.

Be kind to your mind, Brainiacs- even Serabellum Superstars need brain breaks.