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
Time in nature is not leisure time; it's an essential investment in our chidlren's health (and also, by the way, in our own).
Interpretation
What this quote means
Spending time in nature is crucial for both children's health and our own well-being.
Richard Louv highlights the importance of engaging with nature, suggesting that it is not merely a pastime but a vital part of nurturing children's physical and mental health, as well as our own. This statement encourages a reevaluation of how we allocate our time, pointing out that time spent outdoors is a necessary investment that yields long-term benefits for individuals and society.
Themes
NatureHealthChildrenInvestmentWell-Being
In practice
Example use cases
During a community health seminar focused on child development and wellness.
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.
Richard LouvRead
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.
Richard LouvRead
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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