A. Read the text.

Childhood outdoor pastimes ‘in decline’

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

The survey shows that people under 34 recall far fewer such childhood outdoor experiences than people over 55 s according to a survey by RSPB.

People were asked which of the twelve Childhood outdoor experiences they could remember. The answer 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 the 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 organisations 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. Read the following words and write their meanings as you understand them from the context. If you don’t understand, check the words from a dictionary.
conkers……………
dens ……………….
decline…………….
highlight………….
impact…………….. 
consequence…….
disorder……………
urge…………………

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

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

E. Speak to the senior citizens in your home or community. Ask them about their pastime activities and take notes on them. Then write a paragraph in the style of the text given in Section A to show the differences. Also mention why these differences have taken place.


If you want to read the next lesson of this unit please click the link below:

Lesson: 4 | Change in pastimes in Bangladesh