March 23, 2025

Quote of the Week

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." -- John Muir

The Indoor Generation - Let Nature Back Into Your Home

This video is a heartfelt reminder for parents about the deep, natural connection we all have to the world around us. It reflects on how, for thousands of years, we thrived in harmony with nature, experiencing the light of the day, the cool of the night, and the seasons' rhythm. Our bodies and minds were shaped by the sights, sounds, and sensations of the natural world.

But somewhere along the way, we began to leave nature behind. We built walls, relied on artificial lighting, and found comfort in indoor spaces. Today, we spend nearly 90% of our lives inside, and we are passing this indoor way of life on to our children. They, too, will likely grow up in environments that disconnect them from the natural world.

The video gently reminds us that this shift is taking a toll on our health and well-being. Without natural light, fresh air, and the grounding feeling of being outdoors, we are paying a price we may not even fully realize.

For our children, we need to find ways to invite nature back into our lives. Our lungs, bodies, and minds long for it. It’s not just about outdoor play—it’s about nurturing a connection with the world that we are all born with. Nature is still here, waiting for us to rediscover it, and it can make a world of difference for our children’s well-being and future. Let’s remember that we can offer them the gift of nature, and in doing so, we give them the opportunity to truly thrive. [see video]

Reading Corner

Title: Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder
By: Richard Louv
Stage: Parents of Toddlers through to Teens

“I like to play indoors better ’cause that’s where all the electrical outlets are,” reports a fourth grader. But it’s not only computers, television, and video games that are keeping kids inside. It’s also their parents’ fears of traffic, strangers, Lyme disease, and West Nile virus; their schools’ emphasis on more and more homework; their structured schedules; and their lack of access to natural areas. Local governments, neighborhood associations, and even organizations devoted to the outdoors are placing legal and regulatory constraints on many wild spaces, sometimes making natural play a crime.

As children’s connections to nature diminish and the social, psychological, and spiritual implications become apparent, new research shows that nature can offer powerful therapy for such maladies as depression, obesity, and attention deficit disorder. Environment-based education dramatically improves standardized test scores and grade-point averages and develops skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making. Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that childhood experiences in nature stimulate creativity.

In Last Child in the Woods, Louv talks with parents, children, teachers, scientists, religious leaders, child-development researchers, and environmentalists who recognize the threat and offer solutions. Louv shows us an alternative future, one in which parents help their kids experience the natural world more deeply—and find the joy of family connectedness in the process." - Publishers

Be the Change

Start a "Nature Connection" day with your family this week—spend time outdoors, explore local parks, and create simple, nature-inspired activities to reconnect with the world around us.