Week 5 Part A

Louv Readings

Last child in the Woods by Louv was a reading I found particularly interesting. In many classes I have taken my professors tell my classmates and I that we are the first generation where more people live in an urban setting than a rural setting. As time goes on and new generations come, we as people are becoming increasing distant from the natural world. Most of the time we leave our homes, get in our air conditioned cars, get the closest parking spot to the building and spend the least amount outside as possible. Children no longer need to play outdoors; they have video games and computers that can keep them entertained for hours. But for every action there is and equal yet opposite reaction. So Louv’s book makes perfect sense to me. Most children’s brains can adapt to our over stimulating environments while others develop disorders like ADHD. To me the cause and effect pattern here fits perfect and could be the answer to why so many young children have these disorders now. The part that I found the most interesting is that being outdoors and playing in areas with lots of greenery is now being researched as a way to help children with these disorders cope with stress and anxiety. Children with ADHD who spend time outdoors say their symptoms are less extreme. I feel as if this can be helpful for anyone regardless if they had ADHD or any disorder similar to it. I do not have ADHA but I feel calm in green outdoor settings, it’s relaxing to me to be in wide-open spaces with no human interruptions. I think that spending time outdoors in natural landscapes is a great way for anyone to cope with stress or anxiety.