Read 'n' Seed 4: Third quarter of "Last Child in the Woods"

For the third quarter of the book I read up to Chapter 17. It started by discussing how many experts in nature are getting older and older and younger people are not becoming interested in the field. It isn't until a species is under the threat of becoming an endangered species that many people learn about it.

This section of the book focused a lot of nature in terms of what is learned in schools. Teachers spend time discussing what is happening in the rain forest and other far away places but they rarely spend time teaching about what is surrounding their own community. One teacher from San Diego took her students on a field trip to the desert. She had assumed that her students had already explored the national parks that surrounded the school but less than half of the students actually had.

Another problem with nature only be taught as being far away is that children have a fear of it. People are often afraid of what they don't understand. The jungle and rain forest can seem scary because of all of the unknown which children sometimes apply to their own community. One mom says she tells her daughter to "pay attention" instead of "be careful." This helps children become aware instead of creating fear.

Richard Louv also offered ways to be constructive with boredom and encourage them to enjoy nature

1. A bored child needs to spend more time with a parent or other adult
2. No TV
3. Designating unstructured time

This book has been offering ideas about creating classroom gardens which I think would be beneficial for children. It also discusses taking your children fishing to get acquainted with nature. I was surprised that Louv is against hunting but was so for fishing. I personally do hunt and fish and always enjoy the time that I spend time outside with nature.