Severson Dells

From the Rock River Times

By Don Miller, Education Director, Severson Dells Nature Center

If you are taking the time to read this article, you are probably well aware of Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods. In it, he uses the term “nature deficit disorder” to describe the end result of kids not getting outside.

Connor and Donovan McClelland having snow fun.

I disagree with very little Louv says in the book, but I find it somewhat frustrating when we make it sound like the children are the main ones to blame for this “nature deficit disorder.” Fingers are pointed at the kids for being obese, for playing too many video games, for not developing a sense of place and not wondering about the natural world around them. As parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, neighbors or whatever to kids, are we not responsible for their nourishment, growth and education? Have we not let them down?

I think the key to turning this trend around is instilling a sense of wonder.

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