Last Child in the Woods. I am not even through reading it, and I can already tell this is a must-read for anyone interested in the future generation.
Technology has improved the lives of every generation (I mean, what would I do without my dishwasher), and it continues to do so. BUT, technology is negatively impacting young children in insidious ways. One of those ways is that young people do not play outside. They don't build dams in rivers, they don't build forts, they don't explore nature.
Book smart, yes. Many young people are book smart. But they don't understand how nature works, how things work. They don't run around, ride bikes, solve problems.
The author is making a compelling case for what he calls "Nature deficit disorder," saying that the lack of nature in children's lives is connected with obesity, ADD, and other ailments.
In discussing this book with our neighbor, Rick, a well-respected expert in play therapy, he corroborates much of what Louv says, and takes it to a practical level. One example Rick used is one about engineers who have never worked with their hands, built with Legos, experimented with building are not nearly as proficient as those who have. One critical question for people hiring engineers could be, "What kinds of games did you play as a child?" Studies have shown that those who worked on a farm, who played outside, who built forts turned out to be better problem solvers for engineering problems than those who didn't.
This book is a fascinating look at education and young people. Will be interested in other readers' perspectives.
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