Are
there modern Pagan kids who don't feel close to nature?
The last Child in the Woods : Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv is a new book that links the lack of contact with nature in modern childrens' lives with the problems of obesity, depression, and ADHD. This book deals with the importance of going outdoors with children, and of introducing them to being in wild nature. He tells how this benefits children's mental and physical health, and teaches them to care for the environment in a concrete, heartfelt way as they grow to adulthood
Many urban children (and their parents) are not very knowledgeable about nature. Louv quotes a British study that found that children can identify more Japanese Pokémon characters than native species in their own neighborhood.
People tend to spend a great deal of time indoors or in cars, and this includes children, more and more commonly. There are several barriers to children getting to know nature: Parents tend to keep children at home, or in supervised, organized activities.
Electronic media, while useful and highly entertaining, have captured the imagination of children, giving them even more incentive to stay indoors. Parents fear danger for children in the outdoors, and schools fear liability in unstructured, outdoor play at recess (note recent bans on dodgeball and tag at some schools).
What are these children missing?
Benefits of nature time for children include:
*Sharpening of the 5 senses
*Creative play
*Learning enhancement
*Physical fitness
*Feeling one's place in the larger world, being at home in nature
*Possible improvement in ADHD symptoms
*Future conservationists are developed through first-hand awareness of nature
*Perhaps most important is developing a spiritual connection with the Land. Louv seems to be trying to reassure Christians that he is not promoting nature-worship, animism or pantheism for children in his book, but emphasizes care and respect for their God's creation. As Celtic Pagans, however, we do not have a creation myth, and pantheism is not seen as a "sin." Many of our Deities are closely tied to the Land, Sea, rivers, and other natural entities. Finally, being outdoors helps us develop an awareness to relate to our ancestors, who depended directly on the land and weather for life itself.
What can we do as parents?
Parents set an example—get involved in outdoor activities that you enjoy: hiking, birding, gardening. Encourage kids to play outside in green, undeveloped spaces. Let them have time alone in natural places (as appropriate for the age of the child). Keep a garden, and allow kids to help. Value and care for trees in your area. Take kids on short, easy hikes, allowing time for rest and exploration. Don't over-tire them. Learn the names of local birds, plants, animals in your area and share this learning with kids. Go on camping trips, or try backyard camping with children. Above all, keep it relaxed and enjoyable.
Imbolc for Children
Feb. 1 is celebrated in the Gaelic tradition as Lá Fhéile Bhríd (Brighid's Feast
Day). This holiday began as a
celebration of the lactation of ewes in herding traditions and of the earliest
appearance of spring. The goddess associated with Imbolc
is Brighid—daughter of the Dagda,
also known as Brigantia (The High One) in Northern
Britain, later absorbed into Christianity as Saint Brigid
of Kildare, in
Some associations with Brighid:
--Healing Wells and Sacred Fire
--Crafts: healing, poetry, smithcraft
--Protection: patroness of childbirth, babies and animals
--Totem Animals: cattle, lambs, ravens, linnets, the oystercatcher, snakes
--Plants: crocus, snowdrop, dandelion, oak
--Foods: butter, milk, honey, blackberries, Bonnach Brìde cake
She plays the role of the Spring Maid against the Cailleach Bheur (Winter Hag) at the earliest beginning of Spring.
Activities to share with kids:
--Spring cleaning, especially of the hearth
--Make Brighid's crosses from rushes--
--Make Brideog dolls of wheat straw (on sale at a deep discount after Thanksgiving!)
--Hang ribbons on a bush or tree with wishes for healing
--Light candles and float them in bowls of water (supervised)
Looking for signs of Spring
outdoors
--Which are the first trees blooming?
--Which birds are first to migrate back to your area?
--How many of the birds and animals sacred to Brighid can you identify in your area?
Further reading
Louv, Richard, Last Child in
the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, Algonquin Books,
Cornell, Joseph, Sharing Nature with Children, Dawn
Publications,
White, Randy, Interaction with Nature during the Middle
Years: Its Importance in Children's Development &
Nature's Future, White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group,
http://www.whitehutchinson.com/children/articles/nature/shtml
Golden Guides: Birds, Butterflies and Moths, Flowers,
Mammals, Insects, Trees, and others. Golden Press,
Freeman, Mara. Kindling the Celtic
Spirit, Harper-Collins Publishers, Inc.
By Eva Gordon (FoDLA Religious Education
Coordinator)
©2007 Eve Gordon