How to Fight Nature-Deficit Disorder and Get Kids Outside

Author Richard Louv first coined the term “nature-deficit disorder” in his 2005 book, Last Child in the Woods. Since then, it has become more than just a buzzword, referring to the adverse effects of disconnecting from nature that affect the physical and mental health of many people, including kids, today. And while it’s yet to be recognized as a legitimate medical diagnosis, there’s little doubt that the problem exists and must be remedied.

Recognizing if your child has nature-deficit disorder is easy enough, as well. If your kids rarely clock in outdoor time, preferring instead to stay inside and play with their electronic devices, chances are they already have it or are very susceptible to it. It’s your job as a parent to understand the implications of such a disorder and take action to reverse its effects. Here are some resources to guide you courtesy of Solve Learning Disabilities.

Why Your Kids Need Outdoor Time

Learn about the benefits of getting your children outdoors and what they’re at risk for if they spend too much time inside.

An Interview With Richard Louv About the Need to Get Kids Out Into Nature

10 Reasons Why Being in Nature Is Good for You and Your Kids

Being in Nature as a Kid Is Linked to Better Mental Health in Adulthood

5 Ways Nature Benefits Children with Special Needs

Backyard Fun

There’s no need to venture far away from home for your children to enjoy the benefits of spending more time outdoors.

26 Outdoor Sensory Activities for Kids

9 Fun Springtime Activities That Sneak in Some Learning, Too

How to Create a Backyard Adventure Playground

Astronomy for Beginners: How to Get Started with Stargazing

Looking for Adventure

To truly immerse your kids in nature, plan a fun and educational trip!

The Ultimate Guide to Camping With Kids

A Day at the Beach: Deep Learning for a Child

Tips for Teaching Wildlife Conservation for Kids

Ultimately, it’s not such a difficult mandate to think of fun, nature-centric, and often-educational activities that will compel kids to put down their gadgets and head outside. As a bonus, you can get some valuable family quality time out of it, too. If that’s not a win-win situation, we don’t know what is!

There’s no doubt about it — children across the country are struggling with the transition from learning in classrooms to learning at home. Students who are living with learning disabilities can be particularly vulnerable to these changes, which can lead to rising tensions at home and more pressure for both teachers and parents.

If your child is having a hard time adjusting, know that you do have options, including putting these recommendations from Solve Learning Disabilities to work to improve your home, organize your routine, and unlock your child’s online learning potential.

Reduce Stress Around The Home

Online learning can be incredibly stressful for students who have special needs. Some of these children will have a hard time paying attention to online lectures, while others may develop behavior issues because they are stressed out by the changes in their daily routine.

You can support your child by creating a schedule that provides structure while also allowing for some flexibility. For instance, your child may need more frequent brain breaks in order to stay focused or prevent meltdowns.

Reducing stress triggers in your home could also help. You may not realize it, but a home that is cluttered or messy can make you and your children feel anxious and more stressed. You can lessen these feelings by tidying up, decluttering, and perhaps letting in fresh air.

Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment

Many children who are living with disabilities also have sensory processing issues that can make learning at home more difficult. These children may have a harder time communicating online. Being able to use keyboards to type into chat boxes or use text-speech tech may help.

You’ll also want to make changes to ensure that the space where your child is learning at home is sensory-friendly. Know that these changes don’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, removing clutter from this space and your entire home is one way to help your child feel more secure.

Other changes can help, as well, like adding sensory-friendly fabrics to the learning area. You could also adjust the lighting to make your child feel at ease. Just be sure to discuss these changes with your child. You can even encourage them to help!

Look for Learning Opportunities Outside

Backyard projects are another fun and interactive way to enhance your child’s online education. There are endless ideas available online to help you put together engaging science experiments your child is sure to love. Plus, many of these activities are sensory-friendly.

 You could brew elephant toothpaste using simple household ingredients, or you could help your child start a nature journal. Most of these projects are budget-friendly, as well.

 For children who are on the spectrum, growing a garden is another wonderful way to learn while connecting with nature! As you measure out space, your child can learn about math. Then he/she can learn about science by caring for plants and helping them grow.

Discuss Special Needs With Teachers

If your child is struggling right now, know that educators are aware of the unique challenges that their students with learning disabilities are facing when learning at home. Many teachers are more than happy to send individual emails or packets of printed materials to these children.

 Hopefully, your school already has such measures in place. If your child isn’t already receiving accommodations, you can always ask for them. While speaking with teachers can be stressful, especially when they are already under so much pressure, there are ways to ease any tension.

Keep the conversation positive. It also helps to acknowledge how difficult this transition must be for educators and that this experience is very different for everyone. Most of all, be willing to listen! Your child’s teacher may have ideas for helping that you haven’t thought about.

This has been a tough year for everyone, but especially for children with disabilities and their parents. So give yourself some credit for making it this far! But also know that you can use the helpful tips and resources above to reduce stress in the weeks and months ahead. Check out the Solve Learning Disabilities blog and other resources to help you in this journey.

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