Anecdotally there are tales of children not knowing that pork comes from pigs, that milk comes from cows, and having absolutely no idea how half their food gets from farm to fork. There are equally large retailers such as the Co-operative group, Tescos, Morrisons, and even McDonalds who are working to help educate children (or at least tick a CSR box) on what lays outside their houses, schools, cars, and supermarkets.
It’s time to get outside kids – re-engage with your natural surroundings. The winters are cold and murky enough without spending all 8 daylight hours in front of your kindle, TV, or Playstatuon. Get out into the woods, go see what you can find on the seashore, join the scouts, brownies, guides or whatever local outdoors group you can find. Take the dog for a walk (or borrow a dog if you don’t have one). Join the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme. Get outside.
Richard Louv coined the phrase Nature Deficit Disorder in his 2005 book Last Child in the Woods.
He argues that all of us, especially children, are spending more time indoors, which makes us feel alienated from nature and perhaps more vulnerable to negative moods or reduced attention span.
Read more: All you need to know about nature deficit disorder – BBC News
