The matter of the stick: Storying/(re)storying children's literacies in the forest

In the context of forest school pedagogy, post humanism and the common worlds framework suggest that children’s learning is about, through and with the elements of the forest

Harwood, D., Collier, D.R., (2017). The matter of the stick: Storying/(re)storying children's literacies in the forest. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 17(3), 336-352.

Comprehensive neighborhood portraits and child asthma disparities

Differential exposure to pollution and protective factors associated with non-Hispanic White children and children from affluent families contribute to asthma disparities between neighborhoods

Kranjac, A.W., Kimbro, R.T., Denney, J.T., Osiecki, K.M., Moffett, B.S., Lopez, K.N., (2017). Comprehensive neighborhood portraits and child asthma disparities. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 21, 1552-1562.

Residents' perception and use of green space: Results from a mixed methods study in a deprived neighbourhood in Korea

Improving the quantity and quality of green space can play a significant and positive social role in deprived neighborhoods

Lee, Y., Gu, N., An, S., (2017). Residents' perception and use of green space: Results from a mixed methods study in a deprived neighbourhood in Korea. Indoor and Built Environment, 26(6), 855-871.

Surfing for social integration: Mental health and well-being promotion through Surf Therapy among institutionalized young people

Surf Therapy, which includes surfing along with psychotherapeutic intervention, can be beneficial in promoting personal and social skills in at-risk young people

de Matos, M.G., Santos, A., Fauvelet, C., Marta, F., Evangelista, E.S., Ferreira, J., Moita, M., Conibear, T., Mattila, M., (2017). Surfing for social integration: Mental health and well-being promotion through Surf Therapy among institutionalized young people. Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health Care, 4(1)

Sustainability by default: Co-creating care and relationality through early childhood education

Early childhood education for sustainability can benefit from earlier pedagogical traditions focusing on connectivity, care, and crossing boundaries

Wals, A.E.J., (2017). Sustainability by default: Co-creating care and relationality through early childhood education. International Journal of Early Childhood, 49, 155-164.

Children's preferences for less diverse greenspaces do not disprove biophilia

Children’s preference for less biodiverse greenspaces over more natural places is a reflection of cultural experiences versus evidence against the biophilia hypothesis

Fattorini, S., Gabriel, R., Arroz, A.M., Amorim, I.R., Borges, P.A.V., Cafaro, P., (2017). Children's preferences for less diverse greenspaces do not disprove biophilia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(35)

A review of the benefits of nature experiences: More than meets the eye

Investigations into the benefits of nature to humans should consider how such benefits are delivered through the full range of our senses

Franco, L.S., Shanahan, D.F., Fuller, R.A., (2017). A review of the benefits of nature experiences: More than meets the eye. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(8)

The role of outdoor education in child development in Italian nursery schools

Outdoor activities may be more effective in promoting early child development than indoor activities

Monti, F., Farné, R., Crudeli, F., Agostini, F., Minelli, M., Ceciliani, A., (2017). The role of outdoor education in child development in Italian nursery schools. Early Child Development and Care, 189(6), 867-882.

Thrown together: Incorporating place and sustainability into early literacy education

Literacy learning can be broadened to integrate issues of sustainability

Schmidt, C., (2017). Thrown together: Incorporating place and sustainability into early literacy education. International Journal of Early Childhood, 49(2), 165-179.

Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis

Gardening is beneficial for mental and physical health

Soga, M., Gaston, K.J., Yamaurac, Y., (2017). Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports, 5, 92-99.

Young children's and adults' perceptions of natural play spaces: A case study of Chengdu, southwestern China

Young children and parents in China prefer natural playgrounds over traditional style playgrounds

Wang, X., Woolley, H., Tang, Y., Liu, H-y., Luo, Y., (2018). Young children's and adults' perceptions of natural play spaces: A case study of Chengdu, southwestern China. Cities, 72, 173-180.

Direct learning about nature in 6-year-old children living in urban and rural environments and the level of their knowledge and skills

Living in and having direct contact with natural environments can help young children develop nature-related knowledge and skills

Nazaruk, S.K., Klim-Klimaszewska, A., (2017). Direct learning about nature in 6-year-old children living in urban and rural environments and the level of their knowledge and skills. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 16(4), 524-532.

Planning for children's play: Exploring the 'forgotten' right in Welsh and Scottish policy

Children’s right to play and their related spatial needs should be integrated into planning systems versus existing as a separate policy area from planning

Wood, J., (2017). Planning for children's play: Exploring the 'forgotten' right in Welsh and Scottish policy. Town Planning Review, 88(5), 579-602.

It's not just about "more": A research project exploring satisfaction with opportunities to play, for children in two Welsh neighbouring communities

Children’s outdoor play is influenced by factors beyond time and space opportunities

Long, A., (2017). It's not just about "more": A research project exploring satisfaction with opportunities to play, for children in two Welsh neighbouring communities. International Journal of Play, 6(1), 24-39.

Geographies of children's play in the context of neoliberal restructuring in Istanbul

The presence of commercialized private playspaces reinforces the neglect of public play spaces in Istanbul and frames “good play” as being exclusive, secure and instrumental

Sullu, B., (2018). Geographies of children's play in the context of neoliberal restructuring in Istanbul. Children's Geographies, 16(2), 169-183.

Why young people do things for the environment: The role of parenting for adolescents' motivation to engage in pro-environment behavior

Adolescents' pro-environmental behavior relates to their internalized motivation, which is promoted more by an autonomy-supporting versus controlling parenting style

Gronhoj, A., Thogersen, J., (2017). Why young people do things for the environment: The role of parenting for adolescents' motivation to engage in pro-environment behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 54, 11-19.

Playground usage and physical activity levels of children based on playground spatial features

Playgrounds without natural features had greater usage and higher level of physical activity than other playgrounds; naturalness, however, may promote other areas of development

Reimers, A.K., Knapp, G., (2017). Playground usage and physical activity levels of children based on playground spatial features. Journal of Public Health

The effects of preferred natural stimuli on humans' affective states, physiological stress and mental health, and their potential implications for well-being in captive animals

Humans’ attraction for natural environments and the processes through which humans benefit from natural stimuli are largely innate and could apply to other species

Ross, M., Mason, G.J., (2017). The effects of preferred natural stimuli on humans' affective states, physiological stress and mental health, and their potential implications for well-being in captive animals. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 83, 46-62.

The health benefits of nature-based solutions to urbanization challenges for children and the elderly -- A systematic review

Research shows trends toward positive associations between urban green and blue spaces and health in children and the elderly, but results are inconclusive

Kabisch, N., van den Bosch, M., Lafortezza, R., (2017). The health benefits of nature-based solutions to urbanization challenges for children and the elderly -- A systematic review. Environmental Research, 159, 362-373.

Urban natural environments as nature-based solutions for improved public health -- A systematic review of reviews

The concept of "nature-based solutions" suggests that urban natural environments could become a public health tool

van den Bosch, M., Sang, A.O., (2017). Urban natural environments as nature-based solutions for improved public health -- A systematic review of reviews. Environmental Research, 158, 373-384.

Maintaining experiences of nature as a city grows

As cities grow, careful management is needed to balance access to both backyards and public green spaces and to ensure a more equitable distribution of reductions in access to nature

Sushinsky, J.R., Rhodes, J.R., Shanahan, D.F., Possingham, H.P., Fuller, R.A., (2017). Maintaining experiences of nature as a city grows. Ecology and Society, 22(3)

The Schaus Swallowtail Habitat Enhancement Project: An applied service-learning project continuum from Biscayne National Park to Miami-Dade County Public Schools

School grounds can be used for the dual purpose of enhancing student learning and increasing the biodiversity of organisms

Clayburn, J., Koptur, S., O'Brien, G., Whelan, K.R.T., (2017). The Schaus Swallowtail Habitat Enhancement Project: An applied service-learning project continuum from Biscayne National Park to Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Southeastern Naturalist, 16(10), 26-46.

Does access to green space impact the mental well-being of children: A systematic review

Access to nature can promote the mental well-being of children

McCormick, R., (2017). Does access to green space impact the mental well-being of children: A systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 37, 3-7.

Associations between multiple green space measures and birth weight across two US cities

Individual and neighborhood characteristics can modify the impact of green space on birth weight, and may do so differently depending on the greenness metric

Cusack, L., Larkin, A., Carozza, S.E., Hystad, P., (2017). Associations between multiple green space measures and birth weight across two US cities. Health & Place, 47, 36-43.

Specificities of French community gardens as environmental stewardships

Participation in urban community gardens can enhance relationships toward nature and among people

Torres, A.C., Nadot, S., Prevot, A-C, (2017). Specificities of French community gardens as environmental stewardships. Ecology and Society, 22(3)

The importance of children interacting with big nature

Deepening children’s interaction with nature addresses the issue of environmental generational amnesia

Kahn, P.H., Weiss, T., (2017). The importance of children interacting with big nature. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(2), 7-24.

The role of parents and best friends in children's pro-environmentalism: Differences according to age and gender

Parents and peers influence children’s pro-environmental behaviors but to a different degree according to age and gender

Collado, S., Evans, G.W., Sorrel, M.A., (2017). The role of parents and best friends in children's pro-environmentalism: Differences according to age and gender. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 54, 27-37.

Where do biospheric values come from? A connectedness to nature perspective

Connectedness to nature can facilitate the development of biospheric values, which can then serve as a motivating factor for pro-environmental behaviors

Martin, C., Czellar, S., (2017). Where do biospheric values come from? A connectedness to nature perspective. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 52, 56-68.

Conservation priorities for elementary school students: Neotropical and European perspectives

Conservation priorities for elementary students tend to focus on species with which they are familiar

Rosalino, L.M., Gheler-Costa, C., Santos, G., Goncalves, M.T., Fonseca, C., Leal, A.I., (2017). Conservation priorities for elementary school students: Neotropical and European perspectives. Biodiversity and Conservation, 26(11), 2675-2697.

Nature as children's space: A systematic review

Children’s perceptions of nature are varied and their engagement with nature rich in opportunities for promoting their overall development and well-being

Adams, S., Savahl, S., (2017). Nature as children's space: A systematic review. The Journal of Environmental Education, 48(5), 291-321.

Nature-based environmental education of children: Environmental knowledge and connectedness to nature, together, are related to ecological behaviour

While connectedness to nature and environmental knowledge, together, promote ecological behavior, connectedness to nature is the stronger motivator

Otto, S., Pensini, P., (2017). Nature-based environmental education of children: Environmental knowledge and connectedness to nature, together, are related to ecological behaviour. Global Environmental Change, 47, 88-94.

Attentional demands of executive function tasks in indoor and outdoor settings: Behavioral and neuroelectrical evidence

Children use greater cognitive resources while indoors than outdoors in nature to achieve the same level of performance on tasks requiring attention and inhibitory control

Torquati, J., Schutte, A., Kiat, J., (2017). Attentional demands of executive function tasks in indoor and outdoor settings: Behavioral and neuroelectrical evidence. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(2), 70-92.

Nature by design: Playscape affordances support the use of executive function in preschoolers

The affordances of natural play spaces can support the development of executive function in preschool children

Carr, V., Brown, R.D., Schlembach, S., Kochanowski, L., (2017). Nature by design: Playscape affordances support the use of executive function in preschoolers. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(2), 25-46.

Enhancing the impact of research: Experimenting with network leadership strategies to grow a vibrant nature-based learning research network

The Nature-Based Learning Research Network designers used network leadership strategies to develop a framework for enhancing the impact of research

Jordan, C., Charles, C., Cleary, A., (2017). Enhancing the impact of research: Experimenting with network leadership strategies to grow a vibrant nature-based learning research network. Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies, 4(3)

City children's nature knowledge and contact: It is not just about biodiversity provision

While biodiverse urban environments are important for fostering connections with nature, independence and social connections influence whether or not children actually visit biodiverse spaces

Freeman, C., Stein, A., Hand, K., van Heezik, Y., (2018). City children's nature knowledge and contact: It is not just about biodiversity provision. Environment and Behavior, 50(10), 1145-1171.

Disabilities, urban natures and children's outdoor play

Physical barriers to accessibility may not be the principal way in which play/nature spaces are encountered by people with disabilities

Horton, J., (2017). Disabilities, urban natures and children's outdoor play. Social & Cultural Geography, 18(8), 1152-1174.

The effects of the natural environment on attention and family cohesion: An experimental study

Exposure to nature restored mothers' individual attention and contributed to mother-daughter cohesion

Izenstark, D, Ebata, A.T., (2017). The effects of the natural environment on attention and family cohesion: An experimental study. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(2), 93-109.

The trends and influential factors of children's use of outdoor environments: A review

Individual, physical and social factors influence children’s place preferences and play behaviors in outdoor environments

Aziz, N.F., Said, I., (2017). The trends and influential factors of children's use of outdoor environments: A review. Asian Journal of Environment-Behaviour Studies, 2(5), 97-108.

Learning leadership: Becoming an outdoor leader

First-time outdoor leadership is transformational and involves two major foci: interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships

Enoksen, E., Lynch, P., (2018). Learning leadership: Becoming an outdoor leader. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 18(2), 176-188.

Children's independence and affordances experienced in the context of public open spaces: A study of diverse inner-city and suburban neighbourhoods in Auckland, New Zealand

Public open spaces are children’s favorite destinations for play in their neighborhood, but parental restrictions and safety concerns often limit children’s independent mobility

Chaudhury, M., Hinckson, M.E., Badland, H., Oliver, M., (2019). Children's independence and affordances experienced in the context of public open spaces: A study of diverse inner-city and suburban neighbourhoods in Auckland, New Zealand. Children's Geographies, 17(1), 49-63.

Trees as affordances for connectedness to place -- A model to facilitate children's relationship with nature

Tree play can deepen connection to nature and afford opportunity for risky play

Laaksoharju, T, Rappe, E., (2017). Trees as affordances for connectedness to place -- A model to facilitate children's relationship with nature. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 28, 150-159.

Fox palaces: The playful occupation of a Johannesburg city park

Creating safe space for children to play outdoors could become a tool for social transformation and achieving justice in an urban public space

Santos, D., Anderson, N., Hutchinson, D., (2018). Fox palaces: The playful occupation of a Johannesburg city park. Children's Geographies, 16(4), 368-379.

A systematic review of agreement between perceived and objective neighborhood environment measures and associations with physical activity outcomes

Perceived and objective measures of neighborhood environmental factors predict physical activity at similar rates; yet, they account for unique differences in physical activity behaviors

Orstad, S.L., McDonough, M.H., Stapleton, S., Altincekic, C., Troped, P.J., (2017). A systematic review of agreement between perceived and objective neighborhood environment measures and associations with physical activity outcomes. Environment and Behavior, 49(8), 904-932.

Nature elements and fundamental motor skill development opportunities at five elementary school districts in British Columbia

Naturescape elements on schoolgrounds afforded opportunities for developing locomotor and stability skills, but opportunities to develop manipulative skills were limited

Lim, C, Donovan, A.M., Harper, N.J., Naylor, P-J., (2017). Nature elements and fundamental motor skill development opportunities at five elementary school districts in British Columbia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14

Landscapes for play: Effects of an intervention to promote nature-based risky play in early childhood centres

Nature-based risky play can promote young children’s development

Brussoni, M., Ishikawa, T., Brunelle, S., Herrington, S., (2017). Landscapes for play: Effects of an intervention to promote nature-based risky play in early childhood centres. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 54, 139-150.

Through the eyes of children: Drawings as an evaluation tool for children's understanding about endangered Mexican primates

Children’s drawings can be a powerful tool in guiding conservation programs

Franquesa-Soler, M., Serio-Silva, J.C., (2017). Through the eyes of children: Drawings as an evaluation tool for children's understanding about endangered Mexican primates. American Journal of Primatology

"Trees have a soul too!" Developing empathy and environmental values in early childhood

Preschool children can develop empathy for non-human beings, can feel the need to protect them, and recognize their intrinsic value

Lithoxoidou, L.S., Georgopoulos, A.D., Dimitriou, A. Th., Xenitidou, S.Ch., (2017). "Trees have a soul too!" Developing empathy and environmental values in early childhood. The International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 5(1), 68-88.

Effects of school gardening lessons on elementary school children's physical activity and sedentary time

Garden-based lessons may increase students’ physical activity and decrease their sedentary time without interrupting learning time

Rees-Punia, E., Holloway, A., Knauft, D., Schmidt, M.D., (2017). Effects of school gardening lessons on elementary school children's physical activity and sedentary time. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 14(12), 959-964.

Associations between green area in school neighbourhoods and overweight and obesity among Norwegian adolescents

Norwegian adolescents living in greener neighborhoods were more likely to be overweight or obese than peers living in less green neighborhoods

Wilhelmsen, C.K., Skalleberg, K., Raanaas, R.K., Tveite, H., Aamodt, G., (2017). Associations between green area in school neighbourhoods and overweight and obesity among Norwegian adolescents. Preventive Medicine Reports, 7, 99-105.

Ethnographic understandings of ethnically diverse neighbourhoods to inform urban design practice

Ethnographic scholarship can be used to improve cultural literacy and support social justice in urban design practice

Rishbeth, C., Ganji, F., Vodicka, G., (2018). Ethnographic understandings of ethnically diverse neighbourhoods to inform urban design practice. Local Environment, 23(1), 36-53.