Library To Screen Film Exploring ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’

Cub Scout Troop 170 and C.H. Booth Library have joined together to offer a free screening of the film Mother Nature’s Child on Monday, June 20, at 7 pm.

Mother Nature’s Child explores nature’s powerful role in children’s health and development through the experience of toddlers, children in middle childhood, and adolescents. The film marks a moment in time when a living generation can still recall childhoods of free play outdoors that will not be true for most children growing up today. The effects of “nature deficit disorder” are now being noted across the country in epidemics of child obesity, attention disorders, and depression.

Mother Nature’s Child asks the questions: Why do children need unstructured time outside? What is the place of risk-taking in healthy child development? How is play a form of learning? Why are teachers resistant to taking students outside? How can city kids connect with nature? and What does it mean to educate the “whole” child?

Following the film, there will be a panel discussion with several experts to discuss what can be done as a community to help bring awareness and solutions to this important issue.

The program will be in the lower meeting room of the library, at 45 Main Street. For more information contact the library at 203-426-4355.