How to Raise a Wild Child summary

Ever have the urge to take an evening stroll after a stressful day at work? If you haven’t made a habit of it, you should! It’s important for both your health and your mood. And for kids, this kind of activity is even more vital. All around the world, the health of children is declining rapidly.

In 2014, nearly six million children were diagnosed with ADHD in the United States, while a whopping 18 percent of kids between six and eight years old suffer from obesity. And the situation is only getting worse. So what can we do to turn things around? The answer is surprisingly simple: get kids outside more.

If you’re feeling guilty about not getting your kids to national parks or seaside getaways every other weekend, cut yourself some slack! There are more ways to get your kids connected with nature because there are lots of different kinds of natural environments out there. We can divide these into three categories: wild, domestic and technological.

If you want to get your kids in touch with wild nature, such as forest and mountain environments, you may have to drive for a while. It’s great to do once a month, at least, but what about on the weekends?

Have you clashed too many times with your kids because of your love for being outdoors and their love for, well, television? Then it’s time to find new ways to get your child engaged with nature. But where to start?

First, you can become a nature mentor for your kids. This means you listen, ask considered questions, and encourage storytelling about nature. It’s easier than you think. Even a question like “What was the coolest thing you discovered here?” can bring that family walk through the park to life.

These days children spend most of their day in schools. You can’t directly foster your child’s connection with nature during this time, but you can choose a school that will. While some schools have treeless, concrete-filled campuses, others make use of nature as a prime learning environment.

Waldorf and Montessori schools create outdoor classrooms by offering nature expeditions or the opportunity to care for school gardens, beehives or chicken coops. These initiatives are increasingly popular among other public and private schools too, as they provide opportunities for students to practice teamwork and responsibility.

Kids of all ages have something to gain from the great outdoors. Why? Because it provides ample room for their imaginative minds. All too often we consider play as a means for our kids to burn off energy, but it is far more than just that.

Key ingredients for a healthy childhood include protection, love, a strong parental bond and a daily dose of free playtime where kids can discover the world around them using their imagination. Outdoor play is an excellent way to foster this. It also lays the foundation for an appreciation of the natural sciences, not to mention that it helps boost your child’s immune system!

It’s a lovely Sunday morning, and you’ve suggested your family make the most of it by heading to the beach to collect seashells. Sounds like a real treat to you! So why are your kids so unimpressed? We can thank technology and urbanization for that.

With all the time we and our offspring spend consuming digital media, the more estranged we are from the natural world around us. Video games and social media offer experiences that give us instant gratification – something we no longer seek out in nature. This change is irrevocable. But there is a compromise!