Richard Louv at Hume-Fogg High School, Nov. 10th

11/11/08
Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in the Woods”, came to speak at Hume-Fogg High School in downtown Nashville last night. The event was very well attended, with a number of Metro teachers as well as representatives from dozens of local environmental groups and agencies present.
He spoke about the need for children to connect and identify with nature and postulated the theory, based on a growing body of research and scientific evidence, that the absence of this connection may create what he refers to as “nature-deficit disorder”, and can contribute directly to prevalent health disorders such as childhood obesity, depression, stress and ADHD. He encouraged parents and teachers to seek ways - despite time constraints or school policy limitations - to engage children in direct, hands-on activities related to nature and the outdoors.
Following his talk was a lively discussion in which audience members asked questions and shared experiences or suggestions for furthering the cause of “Leave No Child Inside”, a growing national movement to get kids outdoors and into nature.