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I really enjoyed this section of the book.  I, like so many others, had trouble putting it down!  There were many things that struck me throughout this section:
*Pet therapy (p.45)
*Losing our senses (p, 57)
-how air conditioners and central air lead to a loss
-packaged nature experiences for commercial purposes
-lack of experience with natural landscapes due to multi media entertainment in cars
*8th Intelligence-Nature Smart
-I especially related to the statement about early attention to nature's details and how they play a major role in speech, writing and artwork
*ADHD-Nature's Ritalin

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This book is a fascinating read. I really like a lot of phrases I am learning, such as "biophilia"- the urge to affiliate with other forms of life. I would like to explore the readings of Edward O. Wilson more.
The reality that so many urban kids do not get to experience the sound of night through an open window is sad. I happen to hate air conditioners for that very reason. I find it very hard to sleep unless I am near a window. Also, when I read about the part about how many students lack that " primary experience" because of backseat TV monitors, technology overload, and don't have direct experiences of fixing things, putting together tools that we need for everyday like, such as hoses, cars etc. it too made me want to try to give my students more experiential types of learning. Good thing primary grades have STEAM. I wish our STEAM did more hands on and less tech though.

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Like mentioned by Jess, on p.41 when a student was saying learning the names of plants made her feel like she was meeting someone new really resonated with me. Personally, I enjoy learning the names of the different birds I hear in my yard now and have in the past enjoyed learning about all the different plants in my area and what conditions they like (like for plants, where to plant them).
With my students in animal behavior, I have been trying to teach them names of the different birds we are looking at. This part of the book about learning names reminded me of the times a couple of my students have come back to class and said things like "I have mourning doves in my backyard" or "I saw a bunch of gulls in the parking lot but I know that they are not seagulls because there is no such thing." They always have such excitement about applying their in-class nature knowledge to their home area or the area around our school and it makes me so happy!

Lastly, thinking about the studies on windows in hospitals and other environments makes me really wonder about how well students learn in classrooms with no windows.

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I found it interesting how nature- either physically immersing in it or simply looking at it- has such an impact on both physical and mental health, due to a variety of research studies. I studied psychology in college so this research supporting so many positive effects of involvement with nature was fascinating to me:

-Gallbladder surgery patients with a view of trees went home from the hospital sooner

-Prisoners with a view of farmland had less illnesses

-Unstructured outdoor play helping with obesity, motor fitness, balance, and agility

-Joggers engaging in “green exercise” feeling more restored, less anxious, angry, and depressed

-Positive mental effects on children who experiences trauma and stressful events

-Greater social and behavioral skills

The students in my kindergarten class (especially this year) have very low social, emotional, play, and behavioral skills and I think that the community’s urban setting definitely contributes to this. I think that they would definitely benefit from unstructured outdoor play and exploration on a variety of terrains that they're not used to experiencing.

-This would also aide is allowing my students to develop their 8th intelligence

I can absolutely relate to nature being therapeutic, as spending time in nature for me greatly reduces my personal anxiety and allows me to relax and refocus.

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Barbara Kelly

This book is awesome!

Why do the young (and the Rest of us) need nature???????????????????????

"Nature offers a well from which many draw a creative sense of pattern and connection. This is not to say creativity can't  happen without nature-but at a different tempo."

"Nature excites all senses-
It's the richest source of loose parts."

...open ended
imagination and creativity in green spaces...

"Nature gives us a creative fabric."

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Parts that stuck out to me:
-p.41 “One of my students told me that every time she learns the name of a plant, she feels as if she’s meeting someone new. Giving a name to something is a way of knowing it.”  I cannot agree enough! It’s almost a magical experience for a kiddo-to know and be acquainted with new life/nature around us. I feel this way when I learn about new birds in the wetlands behind our house. Every time I see a bluebird fly by, it feels as if an old friend is visiting. Nature can be so therapeutic.
-When Elaine Brooks talked about our ancestors climbing high in the trees to look out-to avoid being prey. This was healing and biologically, as she says, “we have not changed,” (p. 43).
-Studies comparing kids who play on flay playgrounds compared with kids who play among trees, rocks, and uneven ground Of natural play areas-better for motor fitness and balance/agility (p. 49) and better emotional health-as well as reduction in symptoms of ADHD. Personally, my students and my own children seem to “reset” emotionally, becoming happier, more free, and more willing to participate in play/exploration than when indoors.
-“Nature experiences…Teaches that nature is a uniquely regenerative process,” p. 92. It absolutely is!! How can we ensure that all children have access to this? How can we build in these nature experiences during our time-pressed school days?

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Another eye opening reading. The positive health benefits of nature is what I wish others knew and believed. The fact that American children are prescribed antidepressants/anxiety/stress at an alarming rate only validates the need/cause of more nature and yet our children are exposed less. -The absence of human touch may lead to more aggressiveness.... this too could be related to parents focusing more on tech than nurturing their children.
This similar fact is true of adults using the internet on a regular basis- leads to loneliness and depression. Sadly, a therapist recently told me that their #1 diagnosis among young clients is that they are addicted to gaming. Maybe the prescription should be- NATURE not meds for these kiddos!
I loved the line about learning the name of plant she feels like she has met someone new!!

Being able to relate to the 8th intelligence is refreshing. Growing up with "city" parents, they couldn't understand why I wanted to always be outside and dirty! ha
Thankfully, I grew up in an area rich in nature.

Loss of recess should absolutely against all the rules!
-Loved "The Sound of Creature Not Stirring"
-I want to build a tree house!
I can totally relate to the Nature's Ritalin. As a family, doing "green" activities is a complete game changer for our son's output of mood and overall performance. When he is in the woods or at the beach there is a complete change in his demeanor. Video games = monster mood and unfocused.

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A few things really stood out to me while reading part 2 of The Last Child in the Woods.

First of all, it was really interesting to read that studies show "unstructured playtime" is more beneficial to children than organized sports.  A lot of schools don't have "green exercise" available to students just because of where they are located.  It doesn't seem fair that some children are really just missing out.

Unfortunately, I am very aware that schools have been doing away with recess right when children need it the most.  At my school, they are doing away with recess in the 5th grade, the only grade left to have it.  This of course is not at all ideal for students or teachers.

Lastly, it was interesting to read that American's creativity stems from the fact that we have more space in our country to be outside in nature. These things can't be replicated by a computer or by providing more space somewhere indoors.  I had never really thought of it like that!

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Reading notes: Part II

I was struck by the fact that even having a view of nature can have an impact on mood and productivity, but then again, somehow I think I already knew that through direct experience.

I loved that Howard Gardner has an additional intelligence. In hindsight, it makes so much sense.

I now look at a previously constructed empty lot in a whole new way. So sad to know that that piece of land will never be the same and that people don’t realize how destructive they are when driving ATVs in the desert (or anywhere else that’s not on-trail).

I loved the story of the kids who spent time in Alaska-a trip of a lifetime for anyone-how impactful that was for them. And the story of the California Urban Corps project. I would love to read a follow up to find out how this affected their lives. I see this sense of wonder in the students that I have accompanied to Nature’s Classroom for a week of outdoor activities. Some who have never been outside of their own neighborhood.

Loved how nature can treat/manage ADHD. Again, though, on further contemplation, it doesn’t surprise me one bit. As one who has spent a significant amount of time in nature, I know the dramatic effects it can have on mood and mental/emotional health. I’m sure there are other very significant applications as well.

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Reading Part 2 of our book The Last Child in the Woods was yet another eye opening experience for me. Just as in Part I, Part 2 impressed upon me how important the natural landscapes can be to BOTH children and adults; "natural landscapes can be therapeutic and restorative (chpt 4)". In addition, I found it very interesting that in Chpt 5 the author states that "the price of progress has diminished life of the senses - the sensory world has shrunk". I feel that this could not be more true. I was also appalled to see that nature in present day is sometimes used as a "gimmick or marketing strategy" (as I have never thought of it that way) and that this can cause the loss of our ability to experience the world directly. All of this material only further cemented for me how important it is more me, in my role as a teacher/educator, to provide my students with opportunities where they can have experiential opportunities/engagements with nature. Last, I was surprised and encouraged to see that Gardner has added one additional multiple intelligence, naturalist. It could not be needed more!

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I had trouble putting the book down during this section! The information in chapter 8 about the importance of recess is hugely applicable to my school right now. Currently, we are not allowed to withhold recess unless there is a recess-related disciplinary issue, but I (and many others) don't agree with doing so. This section of the book clearly illustrates the restorative nature of recess and how it is a restorative environment. Perhaps more supervision/adult support is needed outdoors for some, but I argue that children with behavioral needs are even more in need of some nature therapy throughout the day. I found it fascinating to learn that inmates with a view of nature developed fewer diseases/health issues than those without a view outside. I do not have children yet, but my husband and I are hoping to soon. Reading chapter 5 has made me keenly aware of the choices we will have to make regarding tech with our future children, such as whether or not to have tv/ipads in the car. I know it is easy to say that I will not do these things and let my kids have excessive screen time, but I know the challenges many parents face around this, especially as kids grow older and have more of an interest in tech. I had an interesting experience during my April Vacation week this past week. I went on a trip to Nashville (so fun!) and the Air BnB we stayed in did not have ANY windows. It was a small apartment downtown in an old hotel, but the unit we stayed in had not one window to the outdoors. We never knew exactly what time it was and if we weren't careful, we'd sleep until noon! It felt so incredibly strange to be without windows for a weekend, which actually helped us spend even more time outside than we already were planning on doing. Now that I've had this experience I can understand how being without a view outdoors might affect someone over time. Lastly, I enjoyed reading about the 8th intelligence and how nature can support these skills that might otherwise be under developed.

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Notes On Reading
Part 2

Ch 4

Garden therapy

Pet therapy

Facing trees instead of a brick wall increase healing and out of hospital more quickly.

Better agility and balance from playing in nature over flat playgrounds.

“Escape without leaving the world” -healing quality for those going through trauma.

“Being close to nature saved my life.”

As a species we crave the very shapes we allow to be scraped away.

Ch 5

Secondary vs. primary experience

Experience does not involve all the senses (.only sight and sound through tv & internet)

Tv /iPad in car

IA internet addiction- even a few hours on internet = higher levels of depression and loneliness

All tech one step removed from direct experience

Diminishing touch

“That which cannot be Googled doesn’t count” know -it -all state of mind.

Ch 6

8th intelligence

Keen sensory skills

Categorize

Notice patterns

Care of plants/animals

Notice things others miss in environment

Create collections or drawings/writings

Deeper friendships

Ch 7

Creativity Nature connection

“Deep box of Loose parts”

Ecstatic moments & places

Many creative types credit early nature experiences that inspire them

Signs to tide us over when life is hard, there was “that” so we go on .

Knowing one’s place in the world.

Ch 8

Restorative environment

Schools cutting recess and phy Ed to try and boost test scores.

ADHD can be treated by nature

Ansel Adams kicked out of school as a boy and parents took him out to explore nature.

Directed attention fatigue but fascination is automatic

Helps people recover from “normal psychological wear and tear.”

This reading makes me wonder though about “non-outdoorsy” types who can’t handle changes in temperature, a bug or two, all the slight discomforts of being out in nature. I wonder if the book will consider these types at some point.

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-Given a chance, a child will bring the confusion of the world to the woods....
In nature, a child finds freedom fantasy, and privacy; a place distant form the adult world a separate peace. pg 7
- Characteristics of the third frontier. pg 19
- Reduced amount of leisure time, more time in front of TV/ computers, indoor sedentary life linked to  mental health issues in children. pg 32
- The idea of Nature Deficit Disorder and its affect on emotional wellbeing of teachers and students.