Many people believe that we are misdirecting the activities of our young, and thus determining a future that few of us would want children to live in. There is a link between the lack of nature in the lives of today’s wired generation – Richard Louv calls it nature deficit – to some of the most disturbing childhood trends such as obesity, depression and the high prescription rate of drugs, especially anti-depressants. Yet the solution is just outside, often right in your own backyard or neighbourhood park.

The Kesho Trust’s Nature Child Reunion initiative and the Child and Nature Alliance which we support (www.childnature.ca), aim to re-enchant children with the wonder of nature and an understanding of the web of life. Parents, grandparents, teachers, group leaders, in short, all those who are motivators and facilitators of children’s activities, can have a role fostering a closer connection between children and the natural world.

Consider the facts:

• Many of us when we were kids spent 70-80% of our free time playing outside - now it is 5%.
• Children are spending 6-7 hours a day in front of a screen.
• Less than 5% of children can name the common 5 birds or plants in their backyard.
• Close to 20% of children are obese.
• Current research connects asthma, AHDD, the increasing use of drugs/medicines and bullying to the lack of unstructured play.

Nature Child Reunion is a cooperative initiative in which all families, parents, organizations, governments and institutions involved with children and nature can participate in making the environment and our society one that encourages the healthy development of children through free and imaginative play in natural environments.