Last Child in the Woods

Interesting post on your blog.  I am going to check this out from our library.

It’s in mine, too. :). My librarian/CM guru friend, Liz, thought it applicable to what CM was trying to guard against…a total disconnect from the natural world. Nature deficit disorder.

I read it some time ago, bought my own copy, and have also read his followup book (less directly useful for a homeschool mom.)  

I loved the book.  Like Bookworm, after I read a borrowed copy, I bought my own and have read it a few times.  And read the next one too.  

From myperspective as a homeschooling mom and a National Park Service Ranger, Last Child in the Woods is a wonderful book!He gives clear evidence of how nature deprivation affects our children in a negative way and inspires parents to take their child outdoors.  Although I still have to work, we decided to homescool my second grade son to help him work throught his ADHD/ADD issue of difficulty in focusing on a task.  The CM method works very well in training him to focus and pay attention and Louv is right on in claiming that time out doors helps ADHD children focus.On the larger scale, I have been a Ranger for the National Park Service since 1995 and we have seen a dramatic increase in children’s inability to pay attention to our programs and an increase in demands for instant gratification by the public in general.  But all of this changes when our programs are held outside.

I can relate to the dirt pile story…We visit a park nearby and most of the moms refuse to let their DC play in the sandbox.  We also get funny looks going to the park when it’s in the 30s or 40s.  

So, was the section on urban development an ease into the Agenda type scenario, or just an encouragement to design more natural areas within urban locations? I enjoyed your post, by the way. Live the Scripture at the top!!!

Becca<><