Painless and fun ways to ‘unplug’ your kids this summer

May 28, 8:01 AMAtlanta Northside Family & Parenting ExaminerJackie Kass

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Unplug and connect to the wonders of nature

One of summertime’s greatest challenges is to get your child interested in something that doesn’t involve a screen or headphones. In today’s world of iPods, cell phones and Nintendo, our kids have a huge problem pulling the plug and finding ways to make their own entertainment. This issue is so disturbing that Richard Louv coined it “nature-deficit disorder” in his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. In this remarkably poignant book, he says, “Nature inspires creativity in a child by demanding visualization and the full use of our senses. Unlike television, nature does not steal time; it amplifies it.”

So, how concerned should we be as normal parents in regards to our child’s complete disconnect with nature? Well, a new study by Iowa State University and the National Institute on Media and the Family stated that 8.5 percent of children ages 8 to 18 may be addicted to video games. I’d say that number is large enough to cause parents to act and react. It’s time to pull the plug and send our kids back outside.

Summer is the perfect opportunity to reintroduce your children to nature as an alternate entertainment option that is necessary in terms of not only their health, but also their development.

“Studies show that children concentrate better, are better behaved, have improved health, and obtain a deeper appreciation for nature when they are exposed to greenscape and wildlife on a regular basis,” says Frequent Television Contributor Terra Wellington , author of The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home.

And the Environmental Protection Agency has just released a study that shows there is tremendous short and long-term benefit to future generations through environmental education.

Okay, this all sounds great, but how do you get wired, highly stimulated kids interested in nature?

One way is by taking your children to a nature center, zoo or aquarium. It is an easy and fun way to diversify entertainment options, while also offering a painless way to subtly educate on taking care of our natural world and get your child up off the couch.

Here are Tara Wellington’s quick tips on how you can get your busy family to unplug and enjoy nature:

• Talk it up. One of the ways you can get your child interested in nature is to think in terms of captivating headlines. Children like to see new things, so talk about the really cool new thing your child will see in nature. It’s easiest if you’re talking about an outing to a zoo, an aquarium, the beach, a nature center, or a botanical garden. It could be a new Discovery Center that you’re checking out, or the Butterfly Festival at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, or the just-added shark at the Georgia Aquarium,
• Seek out touching opportunities. Again, nature centers are perfect for this. Children are captivated and stimulated by being able to use their senses. Often times there are “exploration” stations run by volunteers where your children can experience wildlife up close and personal, and maybe even trade natural objects for points. Parents can also get into the action alongside their children as a relationship-building tool, which gives a fun, shared experience that can be reminisced about later.
• Add challenge or risk for older kids. This is another way to keep children charged up about nature. For example, many nature centers and zoos run camps for kids that offer unique adventures. Older teens need more challenge that is often offered through adult-oriented programs, like a special sea kayaking excursion, conservation trips with adult mentors, and volunteer experiences.
• Buy a membership to a nature center, zoo or aquarium to save money. With most Americans planning to take day-long or short-weekend vacation trips this summer, a season pass or annual membership allows you to return several times throughout the year without the added cost. Plus, many times you will also have free or discounted entry into other participating centers/zoos/aquariums. Stay connected with the institution’s calendar of events, which offers ongoing new happenings to keep families interested throughout the year.
• Support the “No Child Left Inside Act” so that when school starts up again your child will have more exposure to nature and the environment in his/her school curriculum. After all, nature shouldn’t just be a summer occurrence. Click here for more information.

Recommended reading:

• Terra Wellington's The Mom's Guide to Growing Your Family Green. To order, click here.
• Richard Louv's Last Child in the Woods. To order, click here.

Related articles on things to do and see at the Chattahoochee Nature Center:

• More to Do and See at Georgia's Greenest Nature Center - Opening June of 2009
• The Nature Exchange opens at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in June of 2009
• Wine and Cheese Sneak Peek Party at the Chattahoochee Nature Center
• Canoe with your family for a relaxing eco-adventure in Atlanta
• A new wildlife facility in Atlanta for injured animals

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