The Advocate, 6B
February 12, 2008
Froma Harrop
This article explains the need for children and adults to experience nature. Froma Harrop accuses herself and others of videophilia, or the love of electronic media. She goes on to explain that today’s society stays inside and watches television or plays video games instead of being outdoors. Richard Louv, an author she quotes in this article, explains this as a sickness called nature deficit disorder. He thinks that children know more about nature but haven’t experienced. He says going outdoors can ease attention-deficit disorder (ADD), aids cognitive development, enhances creativity and reduces stress. Louv isn’t blaming video games for this “deficit”, but says parents do not let their children explore around their homes for fear the children will be kidnapped or victimized by adults. As a solution to this fear, Louv goes on to suggest the parents should take their children to the park or get them involved in Scouts or nature centers. If children do not have a love for nature, then they will not see a need to conserve it when they grow up.
I do not know if videophilia or nature deficit disorder are actual terms or if the author made them up. I supposed it does not matter because the author’s point was to simply say that we should go outside more. She makes an excellent point. Today, people are so worried about getting ahead in the world that they do not go outside to enjoy nature and all that it offers. When I was a child, I was always outdoors and I loved it. I think an hour of doing something outside should be part of children’s homework, if that is possible. Many of times I was stuck inside doing homework and wasted a beautiful day.
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1 comment:
The author makes a good point. Kids need to be outside and enjoy themselves. This would also help the overweight epidemic. But if ir helps ADD it makes sense with less kids going outside and more developing ADD. Sounds like a good article.
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