Richard Louv's 2005 bestselling book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, spurred a national dialogue among parents, educators, conservationists, and health professionals. Ten years of research led Louv to link children's lack of exposure to nature with disturbing health trends: the rise in obesity, attention disorders, and depression. Consequently, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced the No Child Left Inside Act, a $100-million-a-year initiative to reconnect kids with nature that he calls "a smart investment in the future of our planet."
So folks, don't just stop using antibacterials to clean; get your children outside and let them eat dirt and run barefoot through the grass!
