Lesson: Change in Pastime

A. Reading

Read the text below:

Childhood Outdoor Pastimes 'in Decline'

Traditional childhood pastimes of climbing trees and playing conkers are in decline, according to a survey by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), a charitable organization registered in England and Wales.

The survey shows that people under 34 recall far fewer such childhood outdoor experiences than people over 55.

People were asked which of twelve childhood outdoor experiences they could remember. The answers included making dens, daisy chains, climbing trees, playing conkers, and feeding birds. Four out of five boys climbed trees, and the same number of girls made daisy chains. But the survey showed the numbers declining among newer generations.

Some 15% more of those aged over 55 had these outdoor experiences in their childhood, compared with those between 15-34 years old.

Some 92% of the public agreed that experiences of nature were still important to children, and 82% agreed that schools should play a role in providing them to all children.

The survey has highlighted the positive impact of contact with nature on a child's education, health, well-being, and social skills. At the same time, there has been a decline in these opportunities, with negative consequences for children, families, and society—a condition now known as nature deficit disorder.

Mike Clarke, chief executive of the RSPB, will meet parliament members to urge the government to join other organizations in providing children with first-hand experiences of the natural environment... "We believe this guidance should include the many positive impacts to children of having contact with nature and learning outside the classroom."

[Adapted from BBC news 6 September 2010]

B. Vocabulary

Read the following words and write their meanings as you understand them from the text. If you don’t understand a word, check its definition in a dictionary.

• conkers:
• dens:
• decline:
• highlight:
• impact:
• consequence:
• disorder:
• urge:

C. Comparisons

Read the following statement taken from the text in section A and say what the subject of the comparison is. Find one other comparison in the text above.

Statement: "The survey shows that people under 34 recall fewer such childhood outdoor experiences than people over 55, according to a survey by Ipsos Mori for RSPB."

• Subject of comparison:
• Other comparison from the text:

D. Nature and Its Impact

Do you agree that if children have more contact with nature, it will have a positive impact on them? Make a list of the benefits or harms they may experience if they are taken to nature frequently.

Potential Benefits:

• ...
• ...

Potential Harms:

• ...
• ...

E. Generational Shift in Pastimes

1. Interview: Speak to some senior citizens in your home or community. Ask them about their pastime activities when they were young and take notes.
2. Write: Write a paragraph, similar in style to the text in Section A, to show the differences between the pastimes of senior citizens and young people today. Also, mention your thoughts on why these differences have taken place.