April 2018 - Parks & Recreation - 53

I

t's been clinically proven to enhance children's
n's growth and development, cognitive abilities, creativity, problem-solving
olving skills, physical
health, social relationships, self-discipline and reduce their stress.
stre
It's free, and it's right outside your door - It's nature!
ure!
Yet, today, there is an " increasing divide between the young and
d the
th natural
world, " even though there is a " growing body of research that links our mental,
physical and spiritual health directly to our association with nature, " says author and
journalist Richard Louv. Louv coined the phrase " nature deficit disorder " or the lack of
" vitamin N " (nature), as he researched the lack of nature experiences in youths and adults and
prompted an international push toward providing nature education and experiences for all ages.
While the physical benefits to counter childhood obesity are obvious, benefits to the child go beyond physical health. A May 2010 Report to the President from the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity states: " Children's level of physical activity has been shown to increase when they participate
in environmental education programs that promote outdoor activity " and " children of all ages are healthier,
happier and have better social skills if they have frequent opportunities for free and unstructured play outdoors. "
Furthermore, according to the Children and Nature Network, " Time spent in nature can improve not only
general health and well-being, but also improve academic success through increased focus and attention, enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills, greater engagement and enthusiasm. It can also reduce
ADHD symptoms and minimize disruptive behavior. "
Beyond physical and mental benefits, experiences with nature can help foster passion and care for the outdoors
and our natural spaces. " Simply being outside, " says Lindsay Glasner, BirdSleuth and K-12 outreach coordinator for
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, " can drastically change a child's mindset and foster a love for the world around them. "
For recreation managers, tight financial constraints and a lack of personnel and specialized training can make
implementing nature programs a daunting task. Knowing where to begin and how to stretch resources can be

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April 2018 - Parks & Recreation

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