A Lasting World

[ALW_Wen]

Have your children spent quality time outside lately? With video and computer games, cell phones and TV competing for their attention, it is not surprising that kids spend a lot of their free time indoors. But children must 'unplug' and embrace nature early on so that they will become future protectors of the environment, says Todd Christopher, author of The Green Hour: A Daily Dose of Nature for Happier, Healthier, Smarter Kids, in bookstores March 16.

"Kids being outside is good for the natural world," Christopher says. Encourage children to explore nature with his tips:

1. Schedule outdoor times. Set aside time in your family's daily routine to explore the outdoors. You don't have to travel far. Your backyard or local park has plenty to discover - bugs, birds, trees, leaves.

2. Set an example. The best way to motivate children to step away from the computer and go outside is for parents to do so, too. Time spent together outdoors helps families connect, Christopher says.

3. Keep it simple. A child's scale and pace are naturally smaller and slower than an adult's, so take the time to explore with your children using their 'fresh perspective' and all of your senses.

(Vicki Kriz)