When did the woods become such a scary place to play? Was it the story of Hansel and Gretel lost in the woods? Was it Goldilocks and her run-in with three bears? Or did Little Red Riding Hood’s wolf scare us all away? What is it about trees, and birds, and frogs, and rocks, and the occasional snake or deer that sends parents into hysterics? When did a little earth under the fingernails ever kill a child?

The woods are basically harmless and preventing a child from regular “nature-play” and exploration in the woods is starting to prove harmful on many levels; socially, mentally, physically and emotionally. The condition is called Nature Deficit Disorder.

Nature Deficit Disorder is a condition where nature is non-existent in a child’s personal experiences. Practically an entire generation has lost touch with nature. In a digital age, we have brought a child’s total experience of exploration and discovery indoors. Instead of flipping over a rock to discover a few Pill Bugs, children can click on a mouse and explore the deepest depths of the Ocean floor. Amazing, yes, but swimming with Bottle Nose Dolphins on-line is by no means as stimulating as finding a millipede and watching it…feeling it crawl across your arm! In nature, children are forced to use all their senses at once. They smell the flowers and forest floor, see denizens scurry across patches of grass, hear the singing of birds and rustling of leaves, they feel the rough texture bark and smooth cold surface of rocks, and the taste of freedom is the best!

How many of you remember running off in the woods or up in a tree house with your friends? It is there you bloomed. It is there, without teachers or coaches or parents that you told stories and secrets, cursed and cried, kissed and laughed…and really, really laughed. Nature-play is important.   

A Kaiser Family Foundation study shows that the average American child is hooked to digital media 6 hours per day. Six hours! The Nation Parks have reported a decrease in State and National Park visitation by as much as 35%. State Fishing licenses have decreased even more. And although the U.S.A. has more organized outdoor sports activities for our children than ever, 2 out of 10 kids are obese. Not overweight. Not chubby. Obese! What is going on?

Doctor’s report higher cases of children who can’t sleep, are restless, have lack of stamina, and who show signs of slow muscle development. Our society is seeing chart-breaking cases of children with Attention Deficit Disorder, Hyperactivity, and Asthma. Is it the water? Could it be global warming? Or can it be, just maybe, a lack of being outdoors?   

There is no hard evidence yet, but experts agree that spending time outdoors (ala fresh air) is much better for Asthma sufferers than being indoors. Maybe hyperactivity is the body trying to over compensate for under-stimulation. And a child’s senses learning to work all at once might be the just the thing for better focus.    

Nature or my use of the “woods” need not be backpacking through Yellowstone National Park. A small backyard with a few un-manicured trees, rocks, a stream, a nature trail or lake is all it takes for a child to have a hands-on experience with nature. In teaching children about nature and Science, I have seen first-hand the positive effects of “nature-play” on children with everything from ADHD to Autism. For parents, a good place to start is www.CoolBugStuff.com. There are plenty of projects and interesting facts for both parents and children alike. The point is to get outside and let a child’s imagination go free.

It’s time to get rid of your “Nature-Danger” attitude and allow your children to get dirty, climb trees, skim rocks, catch frogs, and bring home bugs. None of this requires batteries, assembly, or money and the payoff could be huge!

Seth Prezant is an author and the owner of Cool Bug, LLC, CoolBugStuff.com and Wacky Wild Science Adventures. He can be contacted at seth@coolbugstuff.com