In today's world of instant gratification and constant connectivity, it's easy to wonder why we should bother teaching children the art of lighting a fire. After all, with the click of a button, we can access a wealth of information, entertainment, and even order food to our doorstep. But at Ecoventure we believe that learning to light a fire is more than just a practical skill, it's a vital part of developing essential life skills that are being eroded by our addiction to social media.
Lighting a fire requires focus, persistence, and patience. It's not a task that can be accomplished with a quick swipe or click. It demands attention to detail, an understanding of the materials needed, and the willingness to try again and again until success is achieved. These qualities are essential for achieving success in many areas of life, which are in direct contrast to the behaviours that social media promotes.
Studies have shown that excessive social media use can lead to a decrease in attention span, increased impulsivity, and a lack of self-discipline (Király et al., 2019). The constant stream of short-form content provides micro dopamine hits, which can activate the brain's reward system, leading to addiction (Oulasvirta et al., 2012). This can have serious consequences for children's development, as they are disincentivied to develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-regulation.
On the other hand, spending time outdoors has been shown to have numerous benefits for children's development. Being in nature has been linked to improved cognitive functioning, including better concentration, memory, and creativity (Barton & Pretty, 2010). Outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and outdoor games, have also been shown to improve physical health, reduce stress, and promote social skills (Hinkley et al., 2012).
Learning to light a fire is just one of the many activities that take place on an Ecoventure program. By teaching children to light a fire, we are teaching them the value of persistence, hard work, and self-reliance. We are giving them the opportunity to develop a sense of pride and accomplishment, as they learn to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
So, why bother learning how to light a fire? Because it's about more than just getting a flame – it's about the values and experiences that come with it.
References:
Barton, J., & Pretty, J. (2010). What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 44(10), 3947-3955.
Hinkley, T., & Taylor, M. (2012). The impact of outdoor play on children's physical activity levels. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30(12), 1245-1255.
Király, O., Potenza, M. N., Stein, D. J., King, D. L., Hodgins, D. C., Saunders, J. B., ... &
Demetrovics, Z. (2019). Mental health and addictive behaviors in young people: A systematic review of clinical and neurobiological findings. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 8(3), 537-553.
Oulasvirta, A., Rattenbury, T., Ma, L., & Kristensen, T. (2012). Habits make smartphone use more pervasive and more invisible. Proceedings of the 2012 ACM Conference on Ubiquitous Computing, 465-474.
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