For Parents
Parents, thank you for visiting the EarthSavers Club site! The students and I greatly appreciate your support! Below you’ll find a variety of links and resources that will help you provide your child with a balanced, nature-infused existence. And who knows, you may find that you yourself will begin to develop a greater well-being from the outdoors. Enjoy the experience!
Recommended Articles:
Benefits of Environmental Education — A collection of excerpts regarding the benefits of environmental education.
Children and Nature Initiative — The American Association of Pediatrics encourages children to have unstructured, free play not only for their physical development, but also for their emotional, social, and cognitive development as well [Excerpt].
Kids Picking TV Over Trees: New Research Raises Questions about the Future of Conservation — Study reveals more evidence of growing trend: children spend more time inside, with consequences for human health, national parks and environmental movement.
Whole Child: Developing Mind, Body and Spirit Through Outdoor Play — A physician-reviewed report examines the health benefits of unstructured time in nature.
Recommended Books:
The Green Parent — The Green Parent is a fantastically concise guide to incorporating earth-friendly living in our day-to-day experience. It provides quick and simple alternatives for our current habits and offers tips for greening your home, your shopping, and yourself. Highly recommended!
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder — Last Child in the Woods was my most favorite read of the summer. It clarifies what I’ve already thought for years: a lack of natural surroundings and creative play has dire consequences! This book provides studies and statistics to help prove its point, but quite frankly, the problem is obvious. The health of our children and the health of the earth are intrinsically connected; that connection needs to be nurtured.
Recommended Media:
Get ‘em Outside (YouTube Video)
Nature Deficit Disorder – KQED QUEST (YouTube Video)
Planet Earth (DVD Set)
Recommended Websites:
Children and Nature Network — The Children & Nature Network was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature. C&NN provides access to the latest news and research in the field and a peer-to-peer network of researchers and individuals, educators and organizations dedicated to children’s health and well-being. [Excerpt]
Take a Child Outside Activities — This site provides a list of general activities for you and your child to experience the outdoors. A great start for the uninitiated.
Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating Healthy Environments for Children — Healthy Child Healthy World is a portal to an array of environmental articles, household tips, baby care, and eco-friendly products. There’s a lot to see, so don’t be overwhelmed!
Green Living Ideas — Green Living Ideas hosts a blog, podcasts, e-mail newsletters, and various articles about all sorts of environmentally friendly living practices.
Make Yourself Green — Make Yourself Green has a variety of articles, projects, and guides dedicated to green living. They also house a separate section for growing your own food.
