Nature Deficit Disorder
Persuasive Speech
August 2013
Name: Indigo Kretzschmar
*Topic: Nature-Deficit Disorder
*General Purpose: To Persuade
*Specific Purpose: By the end of my speech, my audience will learn the importance of outdoor play for today’s children.
Last Child in the Woods
I. Introduction
A. When was the last time you saw a child climbing a tree?
B. After you listen to me today, you will hopefully encourage more outdoor play for today’s children
C. Being a mother and a teacher in today’s world, I see the lack of interest by children to “go outside and play”
D. First, I’ll tell you what “Nature-Deficit Disorder” is, second I’ll tell you the benefits of more outdoor exposure, third I’ll tell you what you can do to change the future.
Transition statement: So now let me tell you where the term “Nature-Deficit Disorder” came from.
II. Body
A. Nature-Deficit Disorder is not a medical condition; it is a description of the human costs of alienation from nature.
1. Richard Louv, child advocate and author of “Last Child in the Woods” created this term to describe the disconnection between children and nature
1. The author says children are spending more time indoors, and when they do go outside, they're most likely to be on their way to soccer practice or some other structured activity.
2. The result, he says, is that kids are out of touch with fields, streams and woods.
2. Our society (media, schools, etc.) are scaring children to stay indoors.
1. According to a study done by Sandra Hofferth at the University of Maryland, from ’97-’03, there was a decline of 50% of children 9-12 who spent time in outside activities.
2. According to Duke University Child and Well-Being Index, the rates of violent crimes against young people have fallen well below 1975 levels.
3. Technology has taken over our children and demands their attention
1. Television and gaming has become hard to compete with as far as entertainment
2. Studies conducted in association with the
August 2013
Name: Indigo Kretzschmar
*Topic: Nature-Deficit Disorder
*General Purpose: To Persuade
*Specific Purpose: By the end of my speech, my audience will learn the importance of outdoor play for today’s children.
Last Child in the Woods
I. Introduction
A. When was the last time you saw a child climbing a tree?
B. After you listen to me today, you will hopefully encourage more outdoor play for today’s children
C. Being a mother and a teacher in today’s world, I see the lack of interest by children to “go outside and play”
D. First, I’ll tell you what “Nature-Deficit Disorder” is, second I’ll tell you the benefits of more outdoor exposure, third I’ll tell you what you can do to change the future.
Transition statement: So now let me tell you where the term “Nature-Deficit Disorder” came from.
II. Body
A. Nature-Deficit Disorder is not a medical condition; it is a description of the human costs of alienation from nature.
1. Richard Louv, child advocate and author of “Last Child in the Woods” created this term to describe the disconnection between children and nature
1. The author says children are spending more time indoors, and when they do go outside, they're most likely to be on their way to soccer practice or some other structured activity.
2. The result, he says, is that kids are out of touch with fields, streams and woods.
2. Our society (media, schools, etc.) are scaring children to stay indoors.
1. According to a study done by Sandra Hofferth at the University of Maryland, from ’97-’03, there was a decline of 50% of children 9-12 who spent time in outside activities.
2. According to Duke University Child and Well-Being Index, the rates of violent crimes against young people have fallen well below 1975 levels.
3. Technology has taken over our children and demands their attention
1. Television and gaming has become hard to compete with as far as entertainment
2. Studies conducted in association with the
Cited: 1. S.L. Hofferth, “ How American Children Spend Their Time,” Journal of Marriage and Family 63, no. 3 (2001): 295-308 2. Kenneth C. Land, “2007 report: Child and Youth Well Being Index (CWI), 1975-2005, with Projections for 2006” (Durham, N.C.: Foundation for Child Development, Duke University, 2007). 3. Andrea Faber Taylor, Frances E. Kuo, and William C. Sullivan, “Coping with ADD: The surprising connection to green play settings,” Environment and Behavior 33, no. 1 (January 2001): 54-77. 4. Author Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods 2008