Comments on: Seedlings and the “Need” for Nature http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/ Serving up health and fitness insights (daily, of course) with a side of irreverence. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:48:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Mark’s Daily Apple » Blog Archive » Reader Response: Practical Advice for Parents http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-69023 Mark’s Daily Apple » Blog Archive » Reader Response: Practical Advice for Parents Fri, 09 May 2008 20:42:29 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-69023 [...] Seedlings and the “Need” for Nature [...] [...] Seedlings and the “Need” for Nature [...]

]]> By: Anna http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-38412 Anna Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:38:08 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-38412 The YMCA has a great programs that include regular opportunities for camping, and are perfect for those needing to "get their feet wet" with camping because they are group camp-out and everyone helps out. It's a bit different than scouts. There are father/son, father/daughter groups but also groups with mother/son, mother/daughter, too). My husband and son have loved their 3 years of Adventure Guides (used to be called Indian Guides) experience. I like it because I get the camping weekends to myself! The YMCA has a great programs that include regular opportunities for camping, and are perfect for those needing to “get their feet wet” with camping because they are group camp-out and everyone helps out. It’s a bit different than scouts. There are father/son, father/daughter groups but also groups with mother/son, mother/daughter, too). My husband and son have loved their 3 years of Adventure Guides (used to be called Indian Guides) experience. I like it because I get the camping weekends to myself!

]]> By: Donna http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-38305 Donna Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:28:11 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-38305 Judy, I just know you guys will have so much fun. When my girls were small i'd bring them camping i'd bring some things. Such as balls to throw to each other or small toy cars to roll around on the ground, a frisbee or horseshoes. If it's a windy day, flying a kite is always fun, kids enjoy that. If you can bring bicycles, kids really enjoy riding out on a trail. I always tried to find a campground that offered swingsets which is a different change from the backyard at home. I even brought a compass, nature is a great place to learn to use one. At night making a bonfire and letting the kids sing their favorite songs is fun for them. Don't forget the camera, letting the kids take turns take pictures of each other turns out to be exciting for them, and, when the pictures are developed, it's memories to talk about how much fun everyone had, it'll make you want to go camping again. These are some of the things that my girls enjoyed in nature. Judy, I just know you guys will have so much fun. When my girls were small i’d bring them camping i’d bring some things. Such as balls to throw to each other or small toy cars to roll around on the ground, a frisbee or horseshoes. If it’s a windy day, flying a kite is always fun, kids enjoy that. If you can bring bicycles, kids really enjoy riding out on a trail. I always tried to find a campground that offered swingsets which is a different change from the backyard at home. I even brought a compass, nature is a great place to learn to use one. At night making a bonfire and letting the kids sing their favorite songs is fun for them. Don’t forget the camera, letting the kids take turns take pictures of each other turns out to be exciting for them, and, when the pictures are developed, it’s memories to talk about how much fun everyone had, it’ll make you want to go camping again. These are some of the things that my girls enjoyed in nature.

]]> By: Scott Kustes http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-38261 Scott Kustes Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:37:23 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-38261 I think nature is a vital part of childhood, not just for the simple fact of getting outside and being active but for proper development. While our modern culture has removed us from nature, as you said, it's still an ingrained part of us. I think not getting out in nature is part of our collective cultural depression. I recall reading that just spending time outdoors relieves depression symptoms in sufferers. Makes sense to me. That book is on my list of reads, as suggested by Anna (2nd commenter) some time back. Watch taking her suggestions though...she suggests lots of good books and will fill your reading list for the next couple years! ;-) Cheers Scott Kustes I think nature is a vital part of childhood, not just for the simple fact of getting outside and being active but for proper development. While our modern culture has removed us from nature, as you said, it’s still an ingrained part of us. I think not getting out in nature is part of our collective cultural depression. I recall reading that just spending time outdoors relieves depression symptoms in sufferers. Makes sense to me.

That book is on my list of reads, as suggested by Anna (2nd commenter) some time back. Watch taking her suggestions though…she suggests lots of good books and will fill your reading list for the next couple years! ;-)

Cheers
Scott Kustes

]]> By: Judy http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-38118 Judy Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:08:09 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-38118 Donna: We're going to attempt camping with our 2 and 4 yo sons in a few weeks. It's been a long time since I've camped in a tent, and I've never done it with small children, so it will be an adventure for all of us. My 12 yo daughter wants to camp, too, when she comes to visit this summer (she lives with her dad). My 10 yo step-daughter, the one who needs the nature contact the most, actually broke down in tears when we suggested it to her, so I don't know if we're brave enough to try that one. (Her mom's idea of contact with nature was staying in a fancy hotel and taking a guided tour of Niagara Falls. @@) Donna: We’re going to attempt camping with our 2 and 4 yo sons in a few weeks. It’s been a long time since I’ve camped in a tent, and I’ve never done it with small children, so it will be an adventure for all of us. My 12 yo daughter wants to camp, too, when she comes to visit this summer (she lives with her dad). My 10 yo step-daughter, the one who needs the nature contact the most, actually broke down in tears when we suggested it to her, so I don’t know if we’re brave enough to try that one. (Her mom’s idea of contact with nature was staying in a fancy hotel and taking a guided tour of Niagara Falls. @@)

]]> By: Donna http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-37956 Donna Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:59:48 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/biophilia-nature-deficiency-children-mental-health/#comment-37956 The best way to teach kids to enjoy nature is to just be in it. Go camping or take the kids to a state park for some kind of sport activity, or go hiking. They'll see it's a whole different world! The best way to teach kids to enjoy nature is to just be in it. Go camping or take the kids to a state park for some kind of sport activity, or go hiking. They’ll see it’s a whole different world!

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