"Nature-Deficit Disorder"?

Thinking about God, man, and creation again.

I recently saw an ad for a book. LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS: SAVING OUR CHILDREN FROM NATURE-DEFICIT DISORDER by Richard Louv. The title sounded odd to me - "Nature-Deficit Disorder"? But for those of you interested in children and creation or children outdoors the reviews are intriguing. Looks like an interesting and thought-provoking book. I haven't read the book but just the reviews are worth reading if you get the chance.

I have to really stretch my brain to speculate about generations of children with limited access to the outdoors and the natural world. It's bizarre to think of keeping children from opportunities to marvel at God's handiwork outdoors. Does it sound trite and insignificant? Inconsequential? We're not an agricultural society anymore, but we still depend on God's creation. We just forget because we're in a hurry and we can buy everything we need in a store. We take it for granted until disastor strikes.

Man breaking his connection with the outdoors - how would that affect a generation of children? How would that affect the church and the church reaching people? I suppose the sad thing is that it might have no effect at all on education or more specifically Christian Education. Maybe it would have no affect at all on the American church.

When we homeschooled we had a very cool book for pre-school through early elementary called OPEN THE DOOR, LET'S EXPLORE. Themed outdoor exploring with related indoor activities for winter, spring, summer, fall - city, country - lots of mini-field trips right outside your door!

It might be too late in the season for this, but take your kids outside and choose a bush that still looks dead at the end of winter. Or pick a bush when the buds are just beginning to show. Take a peek at it every week and you'll see the tiny buds grow into leaves and flowers.

Take your kids outside! Help them see and hear and smell and touch and taste. Use all your senses! Take your kids outside!