By Bringing Nature Into Our

Environment-based Education Produces Student Gains In Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, And Math; Improves Standardized Test Scores And Grade-point Averages; And Develops Skills In Problem-solving, Critical Thinking, And Decision-making.

American Family Life Has Never Been Particularly Idyllic. In The Nineteenth Century, Nearly A Quarter Of All Children Experienced The Death Of One Of Their Parents.... Not Until The Sixties Did The Chief Cause Of Separation Of Parents Shift From Death To Divorce.

What Would Our Lives Be Like If Our Days And Nights Were As Immersed In Nature As They Are In Technology?

A Widening Circle Of Researchers Believes That The Loss Of Natural Habitat, Or The Disconnection From Nature Even When It Is Available, Has Enormous Implications For Human Health And Child Development. They Say The Quality Of Exposure To Nature Affects Our Health At An Almost Cellular Level.

From 1997 To 2003, There Was A Decline Of 50 Percent In The Proportion Of Children Nine To Twelve Who Spent Time In Such Outside Activities As Hiking, Walking, Fishing, Beach Play, And Gardening, According To A Study By Sandra Hofferth At The University Of Maryland.