Promoting school connectedness among minority youth through experience-based urban farming

Experiential learning through urban farming may promote school connectedness of at-risk students

Fifolt, M., Morgan, A.F., Burgess, Z.R., (2017). Promoting school connectedness among minority youth through experience-based urban farming. Journal of Experiential Education

Preschool children's biophilia and attitudes toward nature: The effect of personal experiences

Preschool children are beginning to develop their own ideas about nature and their relationship with the natural world, regardless of their environment

Yanez, R.E., Fees, B.S., Torquati, J., (2017). Preschool children's biophilia and attitudes toward nature: The effect of personal experiences. The International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 5(1), 57-67.

"We can keep the fire burning": Building action competence through environmental justice education in Uganda and Germany

Multi-national projects can be effective in building on cultural and social diversity to help young people become confident and capable environmental actors

Dittmer, L., Mugagga, F., Metternich, A., Schweizer-Ries, P., Asiimwe, G., Riemer, M., (2018). "We can keep the fire burning": Building action competence through environmental justice education in Uganda and Germany. Local Environment, 23(2), 144-157.

Technology-nonhuman-child assemblages: Reconceptualising rural childhood roaming

Nonhuman agents -- including technologies, plants and water – can “call a response” from children as they roam outdoors

Smith, T.A., Dunkley, R., (2018). Technology-nonhuman-child assemblages: Reconceptualising rural childhood roaming. Children's Geographies, 16(3), 304-318.

Urban green space and the pursuit of health equity in parts of the United States

Green space projects promote health equity

Jennings, V., Baptiste, A.K., Jelks, N.O., Skeete, R., (2017). Urban green space and the pursuit of health equity in parts of the United States. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14

Are some natural environments more psychologically beneficial than others? The importance of type and quality on connectedness to nature and psychological restoration

Some natural environments are more psychologically beneficial than others

Wyles, K.J., White, M.P., Hattam, C., Pahl, S., King, H., Austen, M., (2017). Are some natural environments more psychologically beneficial than others? The importance of type and quality on connectedness to nature and psychological restoration. Environment and Behavior

Emotional impacts of environmental decline: What can Native cosmologies teach sociology about emotions and environmental justice?

The experience of Native American people illustrates how environmental degradation can inflict emotional as well as physical harm

Norgaard, K.M., Reed, R., (2017). Emotional impacts of environmental decline: What can Native cosmologies teach sociology about emotions and environmental justice?. Theory and Society

Wilderness therapy, therapeutic camping and adventure education in child and youth care literature: A scoping review

A review of the research on the convergence of child and youth care practice with outdoor adventure reveals a credible evidence-base with robust positive outcomes

Harper, N.J., (2017). Wilderness therapy, therapeutic camping and adventure education in child and youth care literature: A scoping review. Children and Youth Services Review, 83, 68-79.

Thinking outside the four walls of the classroom: A Canadian Nature Kindergarten

Developing and implementing a Nature Kindergarten provided new opportunities for students and teachers to deepen their connections with place

Elliot, E., Krusekopt, F., (2017). Thinking outside the four walls of the classroom: A Canadian Nature Kindergarten. International Journal of Early Childhood

The difference biocultural "place" makes to community efforts towards sustainable development: Youth participatory action research in a marine protected area of Columbia

Youth involvement in research and related action can help a community re-imagine and transform place relationships in response to critical place issues

McRuer, J., Zethelius, M., (2017). The difference biocultural "place" makes to community efforts towards sustainable development: Youth participatory action research in a marine protected area of Columbia. International Review of Education, 63(6), 847–870.

Many children in the woods: Applying principles of community-based social marketing to a family nature club

The application of community-based social marketing principles contributed to the success of a family nature club

D'Amore, C., Chawla, L., (2017). Many children in the woods: Applying principles of community-based social marketing to a family nature club. Ecopsychology, 9(4), 232-240.

Mindful place-based education: Mapping the literature

Mindfulness can strengthen place-based education

Deringer, S.A., (2017). Mindful place-based education: Mapping the literature. Journal of Experiential Education

Systematic literature review on built environment effects on physical activity and active transport - an update and new findings on health equity

Built environment interventions show promise of increasing physical activity levels in children and adults but further research is needed to understand inequitable access to infrastructure improvements

Smith, M., Hosking, J., Woodward, A., Witten, K., MacMillan, A., Field, A., Baas, P., Mackie, H., (2017). Systematic literature review on built environment effects on physical activity and active transport - an update and new findings on health equity. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14

Children's understanding of animal, plant, and artifact properties between 3 and 6 years

Young children attribute biological properties to animals more often than to plants

Fouquet, N., Megalakaki, O., Labrell, R., (2017). Children's understanding of animal, plant, and artifact properties between 3 and 6 years. Infant and Child Development, 26(6)

A Bayesian mixed-methods analysis of basic psychological needs satisfaction through outdoor learning and its influence on motivational behavior in science class

Outdoor learning experiences can address students’ basic psychological needs and promote self-regulated learning

Dettweiler, U., Lauterbach, G., Becker, C., Simon, P., (2017). A Bayesian mixed-methods analysis of basic psychological needs satisfaction through outdoor learning and its influence on motivational behavior in science class. Frontiers in Psychology, 8

The Declaration on Human Rights and Climate Change: A new legal tool for global policy change

Climate change is more than a technical or scientific problem; it’s a crisis of human hierarchies with uneven distributions of vulnerability

Davies, K., Adelman, S., Grear, A., Magallanes, C. I., Kerns, T., Rajan, S.R., (2017). The Declaration on Human Rights and Climate Change: A new legal tool for global policy change. Journal of Human Rights and the Environment, 8(2), 217-253.

Critical upscaling. How citizens' initiatives can contribute to a transition in governance and quality of urban greenspace

Citizen initiatives can contribute to a transition in governance and enhance the quality of urban greenspace

Aalbers, C.B.E.M., Sehested, K., (2018). Critical upscaling. How citizens' initiatives can contribute to a transition in governance and quality of urban greenspace. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 29, 261-275.

A framework to assess where and how children connect to nature

Designing green infrastructure for connecting children with nature requires an understanding of what’s needed to nurture such connections

Giusti, M., Svane, U., Raymond, C.M., Beery, T.H., (2018). A framework to assess where and how children connect to nature. Frontiers in Psychology

How to educate children for sustainable learning and for a sustainable world

Sustainable learning should be integrated into everyday practices with young children

Pramling Samuelsson, I., Park, E., (2017). How to educate children for sustainable learning and for a sustainable world. International Journal of Early Childhood, 49(3), 273–285.

Plant yourself where language blooms: Direct experiences of nature changes how parents and children talk about nature

Direct experience of nature provides an optimal context for children to learn the language of nature

Cameron-Faulkner, T., Macdonald, R., Serratrice, L., Melville, J., Gattis, M., (2017). Plant yourself where language blooms: Direct experiences of nature changes how parents and children talk about nature. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(2), 110-124.

Change of school playground environment on bullying: A randomized controlled trial

Students with increased opportunities for risk and challenge on the school playground reported higher odds of being happy at school and playing with more children than students without these increased opportunities

Farmer, V.L., Williams, S.M., Mann, J.I., Schofield, G., McPhee, J.C., Taylor, R.W., (2017). Change of school playground environment on bullying: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 139(5)

'I eat the vegetables because I have grown them with my own hands': Children's perspectives on school gardening and vegetable consumption

School gardening may contribute to children’s intrinsic motivation to eat more vegetables

Sarti, A., Dijkstra, C., Nury, E., Seidell, J.C., Dedding, C., (2017). 'I eat the vegetables because I have grown them with my own hands': Children's perspectives on school gardening and vegetable consumption. Children & Society, 31(6), 429-440.

Urban Mind: Using smartphone technologies to investigate the impact of nature on mental well-being in real time

The benefits of nature on well-being are time-lasting and may be especially beneficial for people with a higher risk of mental illness

Bakolis, I., Hammoud, R., Smythe, M., Gibbons, J., Davidson, N., Tognin, S., Mechelli, A., (2018). Urban Mind: Using smartphone technologies to investigate the impact of nature on mental well-being in real time. BioScience

Do lessons in nature boost subsequent classroom engagement: Refueling students in flight

Students were more engaged and less distracted after lessons in a natural outdoor setting compared to classroom-based lessons

Kuo, M., Browning, M.H.E.M., Penner, M.L., (2018). Do lessons in nature boost subsequent classroom engagement: Refueling students in flight. Frontiers in Psychology

Evaluation of a surfing programme designed to increase personal well-being and connectedness to the natural environment among 'at risk' young people

Blue space (water) environments may offer a promising alternative location for high-quality outdoor educational experiences

Hignett, A., White, M.P., Pahl, S., Jenkin, R., Le Froy, M., (2018). Evaluation of a surfing programme designed to increase personal well-being and connectedness to the natural environment among 'at risk' young people. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 18(1), 53-69.

The association between natural environments and depressive symptoms in adolescents living in the United States

Residential development that incorporates vegetation may lessen the odds of depression in adolescents

Bezold, C.P., Banay, R.F., Coull, B.A., Hart, J.E., James, P., Kubzansky, L.D., Missmer, S.A., Laden, F., (2017). The association between natural environments and depressive symptoms in adolescents living in the United States. Journal of Adolescent Health

School gardens in the city. Does environmental equity help close the achievement gap?

School gardens could serve as gateways to reducing the academic achievement gap

Ray, R., Fisher, D.R., Fisher-Maltese, C., (2016). School gardens in the city. Does environmental equity help close the achievement gap?. Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race, 13(2), 379-395.

Bridging natural and digital domains: Attitudes, confidence, and interest in using technology to learn outdoors

The use of digital observational tools may enhance students’ attitudes, confidence and interest in using technology to learn outdoors

Hougham, R.J., Nutter, M., Graham, C., (2018). Bridging natural and digital domains: Attitudes, confidence, and interest in using technology to learn outdoors. Journal of Experiential Education

Effects of nature kindergarten attendance on children's functioning

Attending a nature kindergarten may enhance children’s locomotor and social skills

Müller, U., Temple, V.A., Smith, B., Kerns, K., Ten Eycke, K., Crane, J., Sheehan, J., (2017). Effects of nature kindergarten attendance on children's functioning. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(2), 47-69.

"It's good to learn about the plants": Promoting social justice and community health through the development of a Maya environmental and cultural heritage curriculum in southern Belize

An environmental and cultural heritage curriculum can promote social justice and contribute to the health and wellness of indigenous communities

Baines, C., Zarger, R.K., (2017). "It's good to learn about the plants": Promoting social justice and community health through the development of a Maya environmental and cultural heritage curriculum in southern Belize. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 7(3), 416-424.

Animal-assisted social skills training for children with autism spectrum disorders

Incorporating dogs into social skills training programs may decrease both social skill deficits and symptoms of depression in children with autism spectrum disorders

Becker, J.L., Rogers, E.C., Burrows, B., (2017). Animal-assisted social skills training for children with autism spectrum disorders. Anthrozoos, 30(2), 307-326.

Restricted home ranges reduce children’s opportunities to connect to nature: Demographic, environmental and parental influences

Individual and social factors limit the amount of biodiversity accessible to children in urban areas

Hand, K.L., Freeman, C., Seddon, P.J., Recio, M.R., Stein, A., van Heezik, Y., (2018). Restricted home ranges reduce children’s opportunities to connect to nature: Demographic, environmental and parental influences. Landscape and Urban Planning, 172, 69-77.

Neighborhood environments and socioeconomic inequalities in mental well-being

Access to green areas may disrupt the usual conversion of socioeconomic inequalities to inequalities in mental well-being

Mitchell, R.J., Richardson, E.A., Shortt, N.K., Pearce, J.R., (2015). Neighborhood environments and socioeconomic inequalities in mental well-being. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 49(1), 80-84.

Growing dens. On re-grounding the child-nature relationship through a new materialist approach to children's dens

A new materialist view of the child-nature relationship assigns vitality to non-human materials

Arvidsen, J., (2018). Growing dens. On re-grounding the child-nature relationship through a new materialist approach to children's dens. Children's Geographies

Moving beyond the neighborhood: Daily exposure to nature and adolescents' mood

Daily exposure to nature can have a positive impact on adolescents’ mood

Li, D., Deal, B., Zhou, X., Slavenas, M., Sullivan, W.C., (2018). Moving beyond the neighborhood: Daily exposure to nature and adolescents' mood. Landscape and Urban Planning, 173, 33-43.

Considering the natural environment in the creation of child-friendly cities: Implications for children's subjective well-being

Providing access to safe natural places is critical to the creation of child-friendly cities and to the promotion of children’s subjective well-being

Adams, S., Savahl, S., Florence, M., Jacks, K., (2018). Considering the natural environment in the creation of child-friendly cities: Implications for children's subjective well-being. Child Indicators Research

Childhood origins of young adult environmental behavior

Mothers' education and environmental attitudes and behaviors and children's time spent outdoors predict environmental behavior in young adulthood

Evans, G.W., Otto, S., Kaiser, F.G., (2018). Childhood origins of young adult environmental behavior. Psychological Science, 29(5), 679-687.

NEP (Children@School): An instrument for measuring environmental attitudes in middle childhood

The NEP (Children@School) is a tool that can be used to evaluate the efficacy of architectural design strategies for improving children’s attitudes to the natural environment

Izadpanahi, P., Tucker, R., (2018). NEP (Children@School): An instrument for measuring environmental attitudes in middle childhood. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 34(1), 61-79.

School gardens: A qualitative study on implementation practices

School personnel and students, while positive about having a school garden, make suggestions for improved implementation

Huys, N., De Cocker, K., De Craemer, M., Roesbeke, M., Cardon, G., De Lepeleere, S., (2017). School gardens: A qualitative study on implementation practices. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(12)

Comparing classroom context and physical activity in nature and traditional kindergartens

Natural learning environments promote physical activity more than traditional learning environments

Meyer, J., Müller, U., Macoun, S., (2017). Comparing classroom context and physical activity in nature and traditional kindergartens. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(3), 56-77.

Tree cover and species composition effects on academic performance of primary school students

Tree cover and species composition have a positive effect on children’s academic performance, especially for children in socio-economically challenged schools

Sivarajah, S., Smith, S.M., Thomas, S.C., (2018). Tree cover and species composition effects on academic performance of primary school students. PLOS ONE, 13(2)

Outdoor play as a mean to achieve educational goals - A case study in a Portuguese day-care group

Outdoor play and engagement with nature promote the educational goals of two- and three-year-old children

Bento, G., Costa, J.A., (2018). Outdoor play as a mean to achieve educational goals - A case study in a Portuguese day-care group. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

The association between lifelong greenspace exposure and 3-dimensional brain magnetic resonance imaging in Barcelona schoolchildren

Exposure to greenspace early in life could result in beneficial structural changes in the brain

Dadvand, P., Pujol, J., Macia, D., Martínez-Vilavella, G, Blanco-Hinojo, L., Mortamais, M., Álvarez-Pedrerol, M., Fenoll, R., Esnaola, M., Dalmau-Bueno, A., López-Vicente, M., Basagaña, X., Jerrett, M., Nieuwenhuijsen, M., Sunyer, J., (2018). The association between lifelong greenspace exposure and 3-dimensional brain magnetic resonance imaging in Barcelona schoolchildren. Environmental Health Perspectives

Effect of park prescriptions with and without group visits to parks on stress reduction in low-income parents: SHINE randomized trial

Park prescriptions are a promising tool for addressing stress in low-income parents

Razani, N., Morshed, S., Kohn, M.A., Wells, N.W., Thompson, D., Alqassari, M., Agodi, A., Rutherford, G.W., (2018). Effect of park prescriptions with and without group visits to parks on stress reduction in low-income parents: SHINE randomized trial. PLOS ONE

Children with ADHD draw-and-tell about what makes their life really good

Children with ADHD cite activities, nature, and connections as important to their well-being

Barfield, P.A., Driessnack, M., (2018). Children with ADHD draw-and-tell about what makes their life really good. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing

Impact of the social and natural environment on preschool-age children weight

Residential greenness is linked to lower risk for overweight/obesity in preschoolers, especially for children living near parks and whose mothers have less education

Petraviciene, I., Grazuleviciene, R., Andrusaityte, S., Dedele, A., Nieuwenhuijsen, M.J., (2018). Impact of the social and natural environment on preschool-age children weight. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15

The impact of greenspace and condition of the neighbourhood on child overweight

The relationship between decreased access to green space and development of overweight/obesity is dependent on parental education level

Schalkwijk, A.A.H., van der Zwaard, B.C., Nijpels, G., Elders, P.J.M., Platt, L., (2018). The impact of greenspace and condition of the neighbourhood on child overweight. European Journal of Public Health, 28(1), 88-94.

Affordances of 1- to 3-year-olds' risky play in Early Childhood Education and Care

A mix of natural environments and traditional play equipment promotes risky play in 1- to 3-year-old children

Kleppe, R., (2018). Affordances of 1- to 3-year-olds' risky play in Early Childhood Education and Care. Journal of Early Childhood Research

Youth-focused citizen science: Examining the role of environmental science learning and agency for conservation

Youth-focused citizen science can build capacity for future conservation actions

Ballard, H.L., Dixon, C.G.H., Harris, E.M., (2017). Youth-focused citizen science: Examining the role of environmental science learning and agency for conservation. Biological Conservation, 208, 65-75.

Wellbeing in school gardens -- The case of the Gardens for Bellies food and environmental education program

School gardens can promote well-being, including interpersonal relations and empathy for nature

Dyg, P.M., Wistoff, K., (2018). Wellbeing in school gardens -- The case of the Gardens for Bellies food and environmental education program. Environmental Education Research, 24(8), 1177-1191.