Do your children have nature deficit disorder?

A British report warns that children are losing touch with nature at a shocking rate, and that their health and education are suffering because of it. The National Trust report says that children learn better when they spend time outside regularly, and that creativity is being killed through an indoor life full of gadgets.

According to the report, the situation is worse in the UK than it is in other countries. But that doesn't mean the same couldn't apply to other nations too. Do your children have nature deficit disorder, too? Access to nature has gradually declined in recent decades, and obesity is on the rise. Our children may spend too little time outside, and the same could well be true for us too. But, what is so important about reconnecting with the great outdoors?

Stephen Moss, the author, naturalist and former BBC Springwatch producer, wrote the report. He explains: "This is about changing the way children grow up and see the world. The natural world doesn't come with an instruction leaflet, so it teaches you to use your creative imagination." He adds: "When you build a den with your mates when you're nine years old, you learn teamwork you disagree with each other, you have arguments, you resolve them, you work together again it's like a team-building course, only you did it when you were nine."

The National Trust agrees with Moss' assessment, as do many other organizations. Indoor play and constant parental guidance harms children's ability to learn from experience, they say. We could add to that that fresh air and access to sunlight is important for health reasons too! Vitamin D is pretty crucial, and the sun is its best source. Physical movement is an obvious thing that would be gained from spending more time outside, and preventing later obesity may result.

Perhaps this report offers a good chance for every parent to ask themselves do my kids have enough access to nature?