Less contact with nature

[Crankin]

Jolt, when I taught in Shrewsbury, we had an environment unit in the fall (7th grade). There was a habitat on campus where we took the kids and they had to i.d. different things and draw them. I was shocked by the reaction of some of the kids, boys especially, who had just moved from Worcester. They were afraid to get wet in the stream and wouldn't touch a lot of stuff. They had never experienced any of this! I think one way to solve this is to make sure all kids, even kids who live in the city, have the chance to play in the woods! It doesn't have to be in school, but a lot of those kids had gone to the Boys and Girl's Club or other community programs where they just stay inside. I mean these kids jumped back and stood by the side and said "eeew." They were not being obstinate, they were really afraid.

[Jolt]

Jolt, when I taught in Shrewsbury, we had an environment unit in the fall (7th grade). There was a habitat on campus where we took the kids and they had to i.d. different things and draw them. I was shocked by the reaction of some of the kids, boys especially, who had just moved from Worcester. They were afraid to get wet in the stream and wouldn't touch a lot of stuff. They had never experienced any of this! I think one way to solve this is to make sure all kids, even kids who live in the city, have the chance to play in the woods! It doesn't have to be in school, but a lot of those kids had gone to the Boys and Girl's Club or other community programs where they just stay inside. I mean these kids jumped back and stood by the side and said "eeew." They were not being obstinate, they were really afraid.

Wow, that is unbelievable. Making sure all kids are exposed to nature and get to play in the woods is definitely a good idea. I think I would have been shocked at those kids' reaction too--I can see how you might have one or two kids stand back and say "ew, yuck" (such as a few of the prissier girls) but sounds like this was a high percentage of the kids and not just a few. Sounds like those community programs need to add some outdoor activities to their offerings.