Book Review: *Last Child in the Woods* by Richard Louv (guest post)

My niece Nicole wrote this review of Last Child in the Woods; I haven’t yet read the book, but will be adding it to my Friday Finds:

Nicole’s Review:  Last Child in the Woods is an account of the changing times for children relative to nature; and how nature is essential to a child’s development, both physical and emotionally. The author, Richard Louv, describes his childhood of catching crawdads in the woods and how nature can be found in a vacant lot. The youth years of the baby boomers or older were romping outside as the plugged in toys of today were not around. Now children are gaming, using their ‘DS,’ instant messaging, and other electronics to keep in up to speed with their peers. The increased use of computers and electronics that has children sitting on their behinds likely accounts for the trend of childhood obesity.

Children are also more aware of current events. Yesterday, Christmas Day, I was coloring next to a 10-year old. The 10-year old turned to me, as she was playing with her Barbie, and asked me what I thought of a certain politician. I was dumb-founded by the question and turned the question back to her as to what she thought. She expressed her clear dislike of the politician. It makes me wonder why a 10-year old is talking politics rather than about the Barbie in her hands.

Playing in nature has an impact in a child’s development. The author recounts of building their own tree house as a child; he learned tools of measuring and 3-D geometry, framing, and trial and error. When I was younger I was told to “go outside and play.” We didn’t have many toys, nor did we have a large yard, but we would play, make snow forts with tunnels and curves, leaf piles, and catch critters of all shapes and sizes. I clearly developed an avid imagination and I could see minute details. Being able to look at minute details is a strength in my job.

Today I live in a major city and on a dead end street where the neighbors kindly, or not so kindly, let me know that my dog should not walk on their grass, as we walked up the street, because we would damage their grass. Telling a child to go outside and play would not be an option when (if) we have children.

The book is filled with supporting facts of why nature is important in a child’s development; however the author does not offer many suggestions for people that working 8-5:30 and others that are city-bound. Letting your children go outside and play is not always an option. Regardless of the author discussion about our perception of crime is inflated by the news and media, I know that I would not let a child play outside unsupervised outside my house.

Can parents achieve the qualities of nature today? There must be a balance of nature and technology. One of the most evident consequences of children sitting in front of a computer or tv is childhood obesity, is the solution to play the Wii Fit in front of a picture window? There is also a ‘bass fishing’ Wii game.

Note from Dawn:  Thanks for this thoughtful review, Nicole.  You and the author raise some good questions about the challenges of raising a “nature-deprived” child in today’s technology-driven world.   J and I joke about the fact that when we were kids we rode our bikes without helmets, even rode in cars without seatbelts … we didn’t have arranged playdates, instead we went outside to play, until our mothers called us home for dinner (by calling out the back door “Daaaaawwwwn”, and I would respond, from wherever I was in the neighborhood, “cooo-oooming!” ).  Playtime is different for kids these days, and it is critical that we all continue to spend time playing outside. 

Click here to order Last Child in the Woods from amazon.com.