
Due mainly
to the ever-changing environment, society and technological advancements, the
way of life of the younger generation and their families have greatly changed
compared to the past.
According to the article of Nature Deficit Disorder
published in the Last Child in the Woods book written by Richard Louv, the
lifestyle of the younger generation is likely to disconnect from nature.
The disconnection from the nature of children gives
rise to many problems when they grow up, for example, emotional problems,
behavioural problems, lack of generosity, and many more, although there are no
clear terms indicating that such behaviour is a childhood psychiatric disorder.
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 the 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 computers 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 fewer chances of running in a field or experiencing
beautiful nature, resulting in 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 doing outdoor
activities.
Therefore, it is important to encourage parents to
realise the significance of the natural environment and the connection between
children and nature. Being surrounded by nature to listen to the chirps of
birds and observe differences between 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
- 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.
- Teach your
kids to regularly observe nature around them, for example, the growth
stage of trees or flowers, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 white
water rafting or experiencing ecotourism during weekends or school breaks.
Or participate in an environmental conservation activity like mangrove
reforestation activity.
- Read books or
watch documentaries on the domestic and foreign natural environments with
your children to let them realise that the difference of each country’s
geographical features influence the variation of nature and the
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.
The article was written by: Patimoke Phromchuay, MD, Child and adolescent psychiatrist
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