Due mainly to
the ever-changing environment, society and technological advancements, the way
of life of younger generation and their families have greatly changed compared
to the past.
According to the article of Nature Deficit Disorder published in
Last Child in the Woods book written by Richard Louv, the lifestyle of younger
generation is likely to disconnect from nature.
The
disconnection from nature of children gives rise to many problems when they
grow up, for example emotional problem, behavioural problem, lack of
generosity, and many more, although there are no clear terms indicating that
such behaviour is childhood psychiatric disorders. The causes of these problems
are that modern-day parents spend less time with their children, protect them
and worry too much about danger. These make them lose opportunities to learn
how to depend on themselves, to do outdoor activities and to spend time in
nature, for example trekking, bird or animal watching.
Moreover, the
rapid advancement of technologies leads to the production of many electronic
gadgets which affect the way of people’s daily life, especially younger
generation. At present, they usually spend their free time at home playing
computer games, surfing the internet on their smartphones, using Facebook or IG
or watching TV. They find these activities enjoyable and no need to go out for
doing other activities. However, in doctors’ opinions, young children glued to
their computer or smartphones all day long experience idleness and lack of
enthusiasm, learning inspiration and interaction with other people. They also
tend to suffer from obesity or overweight problem because of lack of physical
exercise.
The family’s way of life in the era of social media considerably affects the
development of children who grow up in urban areas. Young children have less
chances of running in a field or experiencing beautiful nature, resulting in
the disconnection from nature. Although they learn and use technologies, they
miss an opportunity to learn things around them and, most importantly, to
realise the value of natural resources and nature. It can be said that the
“Generation Me” are intelligent yet miserable and knowledgeable yet unkind.
Besides, the environment and safe areas in the city are decreasing, which does
not encourage them to spend their time to do outdoor activities.
Therefore, it
is important to encourage parents to realise the significance of natural
environment and the connection between children and nature. Being surrounded by
nature to listen to the chirps of birds and observe differences of trees and
other plants while trekking enables children to realise that humans are a part
of the greatness of nature. Moreover, young children whose way of life connect
with nature will be kind-hearted, merciful, compassionate, thoughtful and
imaginative.
Suggestions for parents
1. When having free time, ask your kids to observe natural phenomena and appreciate their beauty together, for example beautiful sunrise and sunset sky, clouds with many interesting forms lingering in the sky, bright moon and thousands of stars twinkling in the sky at night.
2. Teach your kids to regularly observe nature around them, for example the growth stage of tree or flower, types of trees or flowers, shapes or forms of leaves, trunks, flowers and fruits, etc. When your children are grown-up, let them help you plant trees or flowers in your garden and water them together. This activity not only creates a green space in your house, but also encourage your children to spend their free time.
3. Let your children enjoy listening to the soothing sound of nature, for example the chirps of birds, the sound of water flowing through a stream, and the sound of a waterfall or waves. They should be surrounded by nature without using a mobile phone, a television or the internet. The soothing sound makes them feel relaxed and calm.
4. Explore the ecology of flora and fauna with your children, for example watching birds, butterflies, insects, worms, frogs or fish living in a mangrove forest to let them understand that there are many lives on the Earth dependent on one another.
5. Take a trip or do an outdoor activity to let your children be surrounded by the nature, for example going to a park, the seaside or a mountain, enjoying whitewater rafting or experiencing ecotourism during weekends or school break. Or participate in an environmental conservation activity like mangrove reforestation activity.
6. Read books or watch
documentaries on domestic and foreign natural environment with your children to
let them realise that the difference of each country’s geographical features
influences the variation of nature and environment. This allows them to gain
new and useful knowledge.
Living things on the Earth are dependent on one another directly and indirectly. The natural environment does not merely belong to human beings. That’s why parents have to let their children be surrounded by the nature and imbue them with awareness regarding the importance of nature and environmental conservation. If they regularly spend time doing activities in the natural environment, they will have fun, develop their thinking to be more creative and thoughtful and become optimistic, kind and calm.
Article written by: Patimoke Phromchuay, MD, Child and adolescent psychiatrist