Download Invest in a Plant. Invest in your Child`s Wellbeing.

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Invest in a Plant. Invest in your Child’s Wellbeing.
‘Nature-Deficit Disorder’ is an interesting phenomenon that has developed in recent years. This
disorder results from spending increased time inside and away from the outdoor world. More
often than not, the occurrence of Nature-Deficit Disorder increases as our dependency on
screens increases. Unfortunately, children who suffer from nature-deficit disorder can suffer
from behavioral problems and other poor-health concerns, but by encouraging children to play
outdoors and get a daily dose of ‘Vitamin G’ (G standing for ‘green’), children can reduce
symptoms of behavioral issues, increase overall health, and improve their school work.
According to recent studies, children that spent more time in contact with green spaces showed
better academic performance in English and Math than children who spent limited time out-ofdoors. In fact, by increasing exposure to green spaces and plants, children can increase their
cognitive abilities by 5% from what it is if they have limited exposure. Experts claim that there
are a couple of factors that are responsible for these results, including greater exposure to
clean air and unique opportunities to engage in risk-taking, discovery and creative activities.
Not only will playing amongst the flowers and trees improve your child’s test scores, but it can
also help reduce symptoms of behavioral issues.
Children, like adults, can become mentally exhausted. Regardless of whether they are
exhausted from school work or other activities requiring focus, this form of mental fatigue can
lead to poor behavior in some and increased symptoms for others. Through exposure to green
spaces, it allows their minds to relax and recharge. In fact, parents of children with Attention
Deficit Disorder have found that daily exposure to green spaces reduced their children’s
symptoms and allowed them to concentrate for longer periods of time.
So in an age of digital distractions, video games, television, and web pages, how can you
encourage your child to spend more time in nature? Simple! Start growing a plant together.
Although it is never too late to learn how to plant, getting your child involved in gardening at an
early age will teach them to respect nature and experience dirt under their fingernails. Not only
that, but plants grown in BC helps the local ecosystem and teaches your child the importance of
plants, bugs, animals and how they all co-exist. Some of the plants that children love to plant
are: (insert a list of your local plants that children love)
Best of all, the benefits of gardening doesn’t end there! Even for adults, gardening is proven to
reduce stress and burn up to 200 calories an hour. (For Retailers) Just look for the
PlantSomethingBC logo when choosing your purchase.
Make sure to include this at the end of the Blog: To learn more about PlantSomethingBC visit
their website at www.plantsomethingbc.ca.
Sources: (Make sure to add these into your blog posting)
Jacobs, T. (June 16, 2015). Green spaces linked to kids’ cognitive development. Pacific standard.
Retrieved on November 23, 2015 from http://www.psmag.com/health-and-behavior/greenspaces-linked-to-kids-cognitive-development
Mooney, C. (June 16, 2015). Study finds that exposure to green spaces improves the cognitive
abilities of children. Independent. Retrieved on November 23, 2015 from
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/study-finds-that-exposure-to-green-spacesimproves-the-cognitive-abilities-of-children-10324001.html
NC State University, College of Design. (n.d.) Benefits of connecting children with nature.
Natural Learning Initiative. Retrieved on November 23, 2015 from
https://naturalearning.org/sites/default/files/Benefits%20of%20Connecting%20Children%20wi
th%20Nature_InfoSheet.pdf
Taylor, A.F., Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C. (2001) Coping with ADD: The surprising connection to
green play settings. Environment and behaviour, 33(1), 54-77.
The Pond Blog. (October 10, 2011). Surprising ways gardening can make your life better.
Lochness water gardens. Retrieved on November 23, 2015 from
http://www.lochnesswatergardens.com/pondblog/how-gardening-benefit/
This project is supported by the BC Government’s Buy Local
Program; delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC
with funding from the BC Ministry of Agriculture.