We are telling our kids that nature is in the past and it probably doesn't count anymore, the future is in electronics, the boogeyman is in the woods, and playing outdoors is probably illicit and possibly illegal.
Richard LouvRead
How can our kids really understand the moral complexities of being alive if they are not allowed to engage in those complexities outdoors?
Interpretation
What this quote means
Children learn better about moral complexities through outdoor experiences.
Richard Louv emphasizes the importance of outdoor engagement for children, suggesting that allowing them to interact with the complexities of nature and the environment helps them develop a deeper understanding of moral and ethical dilemmas in life. Without these real-life experiences, children may struggle to grasp the nuances of being alive and making moral choices.
Themes
ChildrenOutdoorMoral ComplexityEducationNature
In practice
Example use cases
In a school assembly discussing educational philosophies, this quote could be presented to highlight the value of experiential learning.
More from Richard Louv
All quotes βNow, more than ever, we need nature as a balancing agent.
Richard LouvRead
The future will belong to the nature-smart...Th e more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.
Richard LouvRead
We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children's memories, the adventures we've had together in nature will always exist.
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Nature-deficit disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses. The disorder can be detected in individuals, families, and communities.
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A lot of people think they need to give up nature to become adults but that's not true. However, you have to be careful how you describe and define 'nature.'
Richard LouvRead
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