American children today spend 90 percent less time playing outdoors than their parents did; instead, they spend an average of seven hours a day interacting with a screen. Scott Sampson asserts that not only does exposure to nature help relieve stress, depression, and attention deficits, it also reduces bullying and helps to boost academic scores. Even more important are the long-term benefits linked to cognitive, emotional, and moral development. Distilling the latest research in disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, biology, and education, Sampson reveals how parents and educators can help kids fall in love with nature and instill a sense of place that will help keep the planet healthy.
