The Nature-Deficit Syndrome

The Nature-Deficit Syndrome

Caroline Guy, Le Rêve de Gaïa Academy

This phenomenon was brought to light by Richard Louv in 2008 in his book Last Child in the Woods – Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Nature-deficit syndrome highlights the increasing disconnection of children from Nature and its many consequences. We are facing a global trend that pushes children and young people away from natural, free, concrete experiences in favor of indoor environments and new technologies.

According to Richard Louv, “Rapidly evolving technologies blur the boundaries between humans, animals, and machines. As young people spend less and less time in a natural environment, the acuity of their senses diminishes, physiologically and psychologically, reducing the richness of human experience.” He also says, “These young people are witnessing the swift slide from the real to the virtual, from the mountains to the matrix.”

This lack of nature leads to physical problems (obesity, myopia, weakened immune system, etc.), psychological problems (stress, lack of self-confidence, insecurity, depression, etc.), and spiritual problems (disconnection from living beings, loss of the meaning of existence). This growing gap is the result of a gradual change in lifestyle since the 1950s. Sedentary living, new technologies, the way spaces are designed (forbidden lawns, artificial playgrounds, etc.), fears of nature (cold, dirt, insects, etc.), increasing mistrust of others, rising general insecurity (“fear of everything”), and education increasingly disconnected from life and real experiences are its major causes.

Yet, our bodies come from Nature and obey its laws. They are made of the same elements, as we see in traditional medicines: earth (everything solid, such as bones),  water (bodily fluids: blood, lymph, etc.), air (breathing), and fire (body heat).

Human beings should not see themselves as separate from Nature; they are an integral part of it. They also have the capacity to think and to be conscious of themselves, but their lives and future remain deeply connected to the other kingdoms: mineral, plant, and animal.

“Man comes from nature, develops with it and in relation to it. Like other forms of life, he must be considered an integral part of nature. Within us is the same life force that acts on plants and animals. We are part of the web of life.”
Edward O. Wilson

Among indigenous people, such as the Kogi Indians for example, health is experienced in direct connection with Nature. They consider the Earth to be like a human body (for example, snow-covered peaks represent the head and grasses correspond to hair). When they have a health problem, they heal the Earth (for instance, “healing” the mountain to heal the spine). For them, the Human/Nature separation does not exist! This is a state of mind that we have lost in modern societies. We have abandoned the sacred, intimate bond with Nature. We feel separated from it, and for the younger generation, this did not even happen gradually, since most children were born into an artificial, virtual, concrete environment… They know only that. And even in the countryside, children are often between four walls.

Human beings have roots that cannot grow in concrete or on so-called social networks! If there is one thing to offer children through our educational choices, it is the felt experience of a deep, real, living connection with the Earth that will host us for our entire lives.

So, from now on, let’s take children into the heart of nature, in all weather and in every season, to help them grow their roots and grow from the inside while being outdoors!

To guide you in this process, we have created educational packs with step-by-step photos to offer activities that are both accessible and meaningful for children aged 3 to 7.

Caroline Guy
Educational creator of Little Forest Elves at the Dream of Gaia Academy

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