Part Four: The Nature-Child Reunion

Chapter 13: Bringing Nature Home

Parents can play a key role in getting their children more in tune with nature. Instead of thinking about it as just another thing on a to-do list, Louv suggests that parents incorporate nature as a form of stress relief. He also urges parents to get over their perfectionism (if it's not done right, it shouldn't be done at all!), and just enjoy time with their kids. Louv says it's better for parents and children to learn about nature together, rather than the parents learning about nature for the purpose of teaching it to the child (which isn't bad, but it's not necessarily the best option). Enthusiasm, writes Louv, is another key element in reuniting today's children with nature. If a parent is enthusiastic about going on hikes with their child, then it's likely that their enthusiasm will rub off on the child. Another way to pique a child's interest is to read to them about nature. Author Kathryn Kramer grew up reading The Lord of the Rings, which through Tolkien's vivid descriptions of the natural world, sparked her interest in nature. She read the series to her young son, and in turn, he also became enthusiastic about nature. Louv also compares electronic stimuli to a "sugared drink on a hot day". It always leaves you needing more.

Chapter 14: Sacred Smart: Facing the Bogeyman

In this chapter, Louv encourages parents to offer "controlled risk" for their child. Let them run around, but keep them "just at the edge of sight and sound". Children need to be able to explore, and if that need is not met as a child, it may never develop properly as a teenager or an adult (resulting in them taking risks that could land them in prison or them being convicted of a crime). Children playing in nature will also increase their survival skills and their ability to detect real danger, and they will be less likely to look for "phony danger" as they grow older. Louv says that one of the most important thing you can do to protect your child without impeding their curiosity and need to explore, is to give them a cell phone (if they're say, 10 or older) to use when they go off on their own. That way, they feel like they're on their own, but the parent can contact them at anytime. Other ways for parents to protect children are:

*Spend time with the child, and educate them about certain dangers, but in ways that build self-confidence

*Increase amount of time child spends with a positive adult role model

*Make sure that the parent and child know their neighbors. Also, make sure the child knows which adults in their neighborhood they can trust.

*If the child is going to be out of a parent's sight, encourage them to go with a group, rather than alone.

*"Assessing ice", or teaching the child to be able to assess what's risky...but fun, and what's too risky.

Chapter 15: Telling Turtle Tales: Using Nature as a Moral Teacher

Louv starts out the chapter by telling a story about when he was a child, and his parents would "rescue" turtles from the road, and put them in their backyard for the summer. He says that doing this helped him connect to nature, and created a strong family bond. Louv also emphasizes fishing as an important hands-on nature and family bonding experience. Organizations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) have declared fishing "the final frontier of animal rights", and are largely targeting youth for their message. But even disregarding PETA, participation in hands on nature activities, such as fishing have decreased rapidly in the last few decades. Louv says:

Those children who do fish (or hunt) in the future will do so under a growing cloud. Yet, in an increasingly de-natured world, fishing and hunting remain among the last ways that the young learn of the mystery and moral complexity of nature in a way that no videotape can convey. Yes, fishing and hunting are messy-even morally messy- but so is nature. No child can truly know or value the outdoors if the natural world remains under glass, seen only through lenses, screens, or computer moniters.

For those families who aren't interested in hunting or fishing, Louv suggests wildcrafting, wildlife viewing, birding, and Nature/Outdoor journaling.
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A teacher could assign books that describe nature, or if the children aren't old enough to read, a teacher could read to the students in class, or have parents read to their children at home.

In a music classroom (however, probably not a band or orchestra class. This would probably work best for general classroom music or a choir), class could be held outdoors if there is a forest or field nearby. That way students would be able to connect the joy of making music with the beauty of the outdoors.

(Melani)