Free Screening of Mother Nature's Child

Event Summary

 “Mother Nature’s Child” explores nature’s powerful role in children’s health and development through the experience of toddlers, children in middle childhood and adolescents. The film marks a moment in time when a living generation can still recall childhoods of free play outdoors; this will not be true for most children growing up today. The effects of “nature deficit disorder” are now being noted across the country in epidemics of child obesity, attention disorders, and depression.

“Mother Nature’s Child” asks the questions: Why do children need unstructured time outside? What is the place of risk-taking in healthy child development? How is play a form of learning? Why are teachers resistant to taking students outside? How can city kids connect with nature? What does it mean to educate the ‘whole’ child?

The film features children from the wilds of Vermont to Washington, D.C. and the voices of many adult experts, including Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in the Woods.”

There will be a brief question and answer session/ discussion following the film screening. Confirmed panel participants include Emily Neal and Rachel Sandhorst. Emily Neal has served as the Director of School Outreach for the past 6 years at Luther College. In her work she has provided programming for well over 1,500 students and teachers on integrating subjects of wellness, sustainability, and the environment into work and life. In addition, Neal is also the School Outreach Coordinator for the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative, through which she supervises AmeriCorps and FoodCorps volunteers and oversees the region's school wellness teams. Rachel Sandhorst is a nature enthusiast and environmental educator. She has worked or volunteered for many nature education organizations, including Luther College Environmental Outreach, the Iowa DNR, Kinderhaus Preschool in Decorah, and Nature Explore Outdoor Classrooms in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The program is free and open to the public. Call Kristin at 563-382-3717 for more information.

Category

Special Events