Chapter 9 ~Developmental Psychology~ Growing healthy children in nature Amber Gilewski Tompkins Cortland Community College

Nature Deficit Disorder: The current tendency for children to spend less time outdoors Results in a wide range of behavioral problems Less time spent outside means more time spent indoors with technology American Academy of Pediatrics recommends: Zero hours per day for those aged under 2, and no more than two hours per day of screen time for older children

Small amounts of online activity are correlated with: Reduced social interactions Loss of self-confidence Difficulties interacting with others due to shyness Increased loneliness Depression

Children who watch a lot of television or engage in other sedentary activities often snack on unhealthy foods Since 1980, the rate of obese children (ages 2– 5) has more than doubled The number of overweight adolescents has more than tripled By 2006, 17% of children aged six through 19 were overweight

Children who score high on measures of materialism have greater incidence of: –Conduct problems –Difficulties in social interaction –Anxiety –Depression –Discontent –Substance abuse WHAT MAKES KIDS MATERIALISTIC? KIDS & MATERIALISM

Ecophobia: Fear and negative views of natural things Many forms of media depict nature as evil and dangerous or as something for humans to manipulate or conquer Not all media exposures are harmful: –The Lorax (Dr. Seuss’s book) –Planet Earth (the Discovery Channel series) –Nature videos and books foster ecological and moral attitudes –“Virtual experiences” in nature correlate with increased environmental awareness Great Blue Heron Nest – Cornell Lab

A folkbiology study discovered that children’s cognitive processes are either: –Anthropocentric : Human centered thinking was demonstrated when children made projections of similarity from humans to other animals OR –Biocentric: Nature centered thinking was shown when projections were bidirectional from humans to other animals, and vice versa

Environmental generational amnesia: –The phenomenon of using current environmental conditions as a baseline for what is natural or normal in order to evaluate future degradation Peter Kahn –The Natural Histories ProjectPeter Kahn –The Natural Histories Project Ecstatic places refer to the wonder and delight common in environmental memories that provide: –Meaning and metaphor –Serenity –Sense of self –Creative inspiration DOUBLE RAINBOWDOUBLE RAINBOW

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) can be improved with green activities such as: –Camping –Fishing –Soccer –A walk in the park –Passive time spent in green areas relaxing –Having a view of nature

Children and animals Emotional bonds with animals are deep and reflect a variety of processes, including: –Comfort, companionship, and social support and facilitation –Reinforcement of self-worth via unconditional love –Provision of a sense of self and self-presentation –Aid in healing both psychologically and physiologically –Connection with nature – Sense of awe and wonder

Positive childhood play experiences in wild places are correlated with many adult behaviors and values, such as: –Proenvironmental attitudes –Concern about biodiversity –Choice of occupation –Voting for candidates based on their environmental views, recycling, and other nature-protective behaviors