Is your child getting their fresh air fix?
Have you heard of Nature Deficit Disorder? Is your child spending too much time indoors, perhaps looking at a screen or even studying? And should you be encouraging your whole family to get out of the house in pursuit of fresh air?
Several years ago, I presented an item on Nature Deficit Disorder for BBC Countryfile. Experts are increasingly worried that children have limited contact with the real world around them, particularly with nature, and that an attachment or addiction to screens and devices might result in them being unable to connect with the outdoors.
A couple of years ago, research revealed that over 70% of children in the UK spend less time outside than prison inmates. And while a National Trust survey found that 9 out of 10 parents would prefer their children to spend their early years connecting with nature, today’s children spend half the time their parents did playing outside. All of this set against the fact that children who regularly play outdoors have been shown to be happier, healthier, more confident and less anxious.
With this in mind, I have devised a little general knowledge test which I hope you will enjoy. See how many of the images below your child can identify. Try it on the grandparents, the childminder, your work colleagues too. And when you have done the quiz, if you need to, take action. And connect with nature!
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Answers can be found below.
How many did you get? All of them? If you didn't fear not! Try to find time for a fresh air fix for your children whenever you can .
Katie
Resources: All images taken from Unsplash, a website dedicated to sharing stock photography under the Unsplash license and from Usborne Spotters Cards. Mini books from Usborne - Trees, Flowers and Birds - are available from Amazon 🍁.