West Coast Wonderlust : Book Review: Last Child in the Woods By: Richard Louv

Introduction

to our Book Reviews

This is the first book Review that I have posted on the Blog. I enjoy reading and as does Aaron.
We are constantly finding ourselves roaming the book store searching for our next source of information or great story. Recently Aaron and I have come across a few books we feel our readers might also enjoy or find helpful. All our books will relate to our love and interest in nature, canadian events, hiking, running, swimming, fitness and travel. I hope you find these reviews helpful.

Personal Bias

This is my Book Review of Last Child in the Wood.

I feel this is a great book for individuals to read who have children or wish to one day.

If you have a desire to be in nature and a true appreciation for it unique abilities, presence and lure. This is a great book for you to read and understand how important it is for our society to shift it's value and beliefs when it comes to the outdoors and our children. I did find this book was dominantly based on American research, which was the context it was written for, but there is still an incredible amount of valuable perspective and knowledge to be share among Louv's writing.

Book Review

Louv, R. (2008). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. New York: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.

ISBN: 978-1-56512-605-3

Price: 19.95

In Richard Louv’s novel Last Child in the Woods: SAVING OUR CHILDREN FROM NATURE-DEFICIT DISORDER, Louv argues that this generation of children is suffering from a disorder referred to as nature–deficit disorder, causing many different challenges for children such as a huge increase in childhood obesity, an increase in emotional instability such as mood disorders, depression and anxiety, as well as a narrowed secondary use of our senses limiting children to live vicariously through electronics and never actually experiencing life with all five senses. Louv expresses that nature is an essential part of being human and that removing our children from nature is impacting our children’s healthy development. Bringing children back to nature becomes an empowering, nurturing place that allows for wonder, creativity, freedom and joy.

Louv’s main and overall objective is to create an awareness surrounding the damage that occurs when children are removed from nature and the harmful impacts that transpire within the disconnection from the natural world and how bringing children back to nature fosters positive development as well as an overall holistic wellness in the emotional, physical, cognitive and social domains. Louv conveys to his readers that nature is a more effective healing tool and therapy for children suffering from depression, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders etc., which can easily replace the pharmaceutical drugs which are currently administered to these children. Louv discusses that there is a whopping eight million children experiencing some sort of mental disorder in the United States alone, with ADHD being a widespread diagnosis. Ninety precent of preschoolers that are diagnosed with ADHD are medicated. The author also refers to a 2003 study that showed that within a five-year span, the use of antidepressants for children who showed signs of depression doubled. It also showed that of all the children being prescribed the drug, sixty-six percent of them fell into the preschool age demographic. It has been speculated that children who have been removed from the natural world begin to live a more sedentary lifestyle and have a hard time focusing, which often leads to childhood obesity and signs of depression. Louv argues in his book that access to nature allows for children to engage with the world in a more active, physical manner creating a freeing outlet for children to explore their curiosities and escape from the stresses and pressures that come with everyday life. Nature has also shown the ability to minimize the symptoms of ADHD and other disorders.

Louv not only discusses the concerns that have arisen from society’s disconnect from nature, but how the original disassociation and movement away from free outdoor play and opportunity occurred and why this shift has prevailed. Louv identifies several reasons for the shift. The first reason being the concept of “stranger danger”, which has become a large contributor to why children are being directed away from the outdoors. He states that as a society, there has been a huge growth in paranoia surrounding crimes against children such as kidnapping, abuse, violence etc. Louv stresses to his reader’s that these incidents are far fewer then what the public is led to believe by popular media sources. Another reason that children are being relocated indoors is the urbanization and electronic presence within of our living spaces. Louv explains that an increasing social value of electronic devices is creating a superficial understanding of the world that lies just outside our doors.

Not only does louv summarize why nature is key to our children’s positive development, the issues that arise when we deprive children from the natural world, and how this separation occurred, but he also provides his readers with many solutions on how to encourage our children to get back outside. Louv voices the concept of the Ecoschools, where children are encouraged to experience outdoors in a hands-on way and a creative, nature-based curriculum is part of the ecoschool experience that is not seen within a traditional schooling atmosphere. Louv expresses that not only does our education system need to evolve but also parents need to start taking an active role in reforming the outdoors experiences. Louv stresses to his readers that educating your children about the dangers that can occur within the world is essential to getting children back outside and that providing them with the tools to protect themselves is key.

Within Louv’s book he covers an extensive amount of information that strongly supports his argument that children must be reintroduced to the outdoors, that in itself is a strength in which is present to me as a reader. Another strength that louv’s writing has is his ability to relate his argument with information that caters to multiple perspectives and attitudes. His writing reaches out to those who he feels can relate with the information and provides them with concrete evidence and studies to support his intention. He also provides his readers with solutions to the issues he voices. Louv paints a complete picture for his readers instead of leaving them with an unfinished canvas or an incomplete image.

A weakness of this book is that the information appears to only be directed to an adult audience and how they can get children to enter back into nature when young adults and teens could benefit from accessing this information as well. I say this because these young adults are our future educators, government officials and parents. This is a demographic that is and will be creating changes. I personally did not feel that this book had a lot of weaknesses but instead I feel louv has deeply and effectively conveyed his concerns regarding children’s current state.

As an early childhood educator whose currently working in the field,a future parent and outdoor lover I feel louv has created the ultimate resource for educators, which I will also incorporate in my own practice and share with my current and future coworkers. This is also a resource that I feel would be beneficial to share with the families and future parents that attend or will soon be attending early childhood settings.

Richard Louv’s novel Last Child in the Woods: SAVING OUR CHILDREN FROM NATURE-DEFICT DISORDER is a steadfast reality check for parents and educators that the marginalization of children’s outdoor experiences and opportunities is actually interrupting the healthy growth and development of our children and the children we work with. Louv’s novel also expresses the healing powers that nature can have on children who are currently struggling. It is part of our moral obligation as educators and parents to consider the power and influence nature has upon us.

I advise all parents as well as educators to read Richard Louv’s dynamic and insightful book, embrace the message he’s conveying, and apply it to our lives to the best of our abilities.