Taking kindergartners outdoors: Documenting their explorations and assessing the impact on their ecological awareness

Nature kindergarten nurtures a deep connection with nature

Elliot, E., Ten Eycke, K., Chan, S., Müller, U., (2014). Taking kindergartners outdoors: Documenting their explorations and assessing the impact on their ecological awareness. Children, Youth and Environments, 24(2), 102-122.

A comparative study of the impacts and students' perceptions of indoor and outdoor learning in the science classroom

Outdoor learning complements indoor learning by improving student performance and increasing student participation and enjoyment in science learning activities

Dhanapal, S., Lim, C. C. Y., (2013). A comparative study of the impacts and students' perceptions of indoor and outdoor learning in the science classroom. Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, 14(2), 1 - 23.

The effect of an animal-assisted reading program on the reading rate, accuracy and comprehension of grade 3 students: A randomized control study

Third grade students significantly improve reading comprehension and retention when reading with a dog in an animal-assisted reading program

le Roux, M. C., Swartz, L., Swart, E., (2014). The effect of an animal-assisted reading program on the reading rate, accuracy and comprehension of grade 3 students: A randomized control study. Child & Youth Care Forum, 43(6), 655 - 673.

Contact with nature and children’s wellbeing in educational settings

Social interaction, stress and attention may improve in one- to three-year-olds by free play in outdoor green space

Carrus, G., Pirchio, S., Passiatore, Y., Mastandrea, S., Scopelliti, M., Bartoli, G., (2012). Contact with nature and children’s wellbeing in educational settings. Journal of Social Sciences, 8(3), 304 - 309.

Green schoolyards as havens from stress and resources for resilience in childhood and adolescence

Natural schoolyards decrease stress, strengthen attention, reduce behavior problems, and enhance factors associated with resilience in children of all ages

Chawla, L., Keena, K., Pevec, I., Stanley, E., (2014). Green schoolyards as havens from stress and resources for resilience in childhood and adolescence. Health & Place, 28, 1-13.

Does a nurturing approach that uses an outdoor play environment build resilience in children from a challenging background?

Children from challenging backgrounds experience improved well-being and resilience after participating in nurturing outdoor program

McArdle, K., Harrison, T., Harrison, D., (2013). Does a nurturing approach that uses an outdoor play environment build resilience in children from a challenging background?. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 13(3), 238-254.

Learning biology and mathematics outdoors: Effects and attitudes in a Swedish high school context

Outdoor learning improves long-term memory of course content and increases positive student attitudes

Fägerstam, E., Blom, J., (2013). Learning biology and mathematics outdoors: Effects and attitudes in a Swedish high school context. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 13(1), 56 - 75.

The effect of a horseshoe crab citizen science program on middle school student science performance and STEM career motivation

Citizen science program for middle school students has positive effects with potential for STEM career motivation

Hiller, S. E., Kitsantas, A., (2014). The effect of a horseshoe crab citizen science program on middle school student science performance and STEM career motivation. School Science and Mathematics, 114(6), 302 - 311.

School-based experiential outdoor education - A neglected necessity

Outdoor education improves students’ engagement in and motivation for learning

James, J.K., Williams, T., (2017). School-based experiential outdoor education - A neglected necessity. Journal of Experiential Education, 40(1), 58-71.

Playing with nature: Supporting preschoolers' creativity in natural outdoor classrooms

Natural outdoor classrooms promote preschoolers’ creativity in the areas of problem-solving and ingenuity

Kiewra, C., Veselack, E., (2016). Playing with nature: Supporting preschoolers' creativity in natural outdoor classrooms. The International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 4(1)

Outdoor explorations with preschoolers: An observational study of young children's developing relationship with the natural world

Children’s understanding of the natural world develops through direct, positive experiences with nature, supported by adult guidance

McClain, C., Vandermaas-Peeler, M., (2016). Outdoor explorations with preschoolers: An observational study of young children's developing relationship with the natural world. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 4(1)

Saving Squawk? Animal and human entanglement at the edge of the lagoon

Encounters with wild animals provoke a sense of responsibility among 9th graders

Gannon, S., (2015). Saving Squawk? Animal and human entanglement at the edge of the lagoon. Environmental Education Research

Affordances of ditches for preschool children

Ditches have the potential to become an important design element in outdoor playspaces for young children

Lerstrup, I., Moller, M.S., (2016). Affordances of ditches for preschool children. Children, Youth and Environments, 26(2), 43-60.

Bringing outdoor play indoors in United Arab Emirates: Mud as a powerful binding element

A Mud Day project is successful in bringing outdoor learning indoors

Baker, F.S., (2017). Bringing outdoor play indoors in United Arab Emirates: Mud as a powerful binding element. Childhood Education, 93(1), 73-79.

Geotheorizing mountain-child relations within anthropogenic inheritances

Early childhood pedagogy based on relationality rather than separation could serve as a form of resistance to an extractive relationship with the more-than-human world

Nxumalo, F., (2017). Geotheorizing mountain-child relations within anthropogenic inheritances. Children's Geographies, 15(5), 558-569.

"We won't hurt you butterfly!" Second-graders become environmental stewards from experiences in a school garden

School-garden program promotes positive attitudes toward the environment

Fisher-Maltese, C., (2016). "We won't hurt you butterfly!" Second-graders become environmental stewards from experiences in a school garden. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 4(1), 54-69.

The perception, management and performance of risk amongst Forest School educators

Forest School educators altered their risk management practices in response to competing conceptions of childhood and risk

Connolly, M., Haughton, C., (2017). The perception, management and performance of risk amongst Forest School educators. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 38(2), 105-124.

Are young children's utterances affected by characteristics of their learning environments? A multiple case study

Preschool children use richer language in a natural environment than in indoor or outdoor classrooms

Richardson, T., Murray, J., (2017). Are young children's utterances affected by characteristics of their learning environments? A multiple case study. Early Child Development and Care, 187(3-4), 457-468.

Identifying and characterizing risky play in the age one-to-three years

The existing definition and characteristics of risky play may not be useful for one-year-olds

Kleppe, R., Melhuish, E., Sandseter, E.B.H., (2017). Identifying and characterizing risky play in the age one-to-three years. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 25(3), 370-385.

Down by the Bay

The resources of a nature center help second-graders learn more in-depth information about their local environment

Allison, E., Tunks, K., Hardman, K., (2017). Down by the Bay. Science and Children, 54(7), 29-33.

Cultural transmission at nature kindergartens: Foraging as a key ingredient

Educational benefits of foraging include the transmission of culture and strengthening children’s connection with nature

Nugent, C., Beames, S., (2015). Cultural transmission at nature kindergartens: Foraging as a key ingredient. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, 20, 78-91.

Assessing a school gardening program as an integrated component of a pilot farm-to-school initiative based in South Carolina

School gardens are used for multidisciplinary academic instruction more than contribution to school nutrition programs

Taylor, C., Symon, E.B., Dabbs, A., Way, E., Thompson, O.M., (2017). Assessing a school gardening program as an integrated component of a pilot farm-to-school initiative based in South Carolina. HortTechnology, 27(2), 228-234.

'I saw a magical garden with flowers that people could not damage!': Children's visions of nature and of learning about nature in and out of school

Children’s deep emotional connection with nature generates a strongly protective disposition

Rios, C., Menezes, I., (2017). 'I saw a magical garden with flowers that people could not damage!': Children's visions of nature and of learning about nature in and out of school. Environmental Education Research, 23(10), 1402-1413.

Effects of regular classes in outdoor education settings: A systematic review on students' learning, social and health dimensions

Regular classes in outdoor settings can promote students’ learning, health, social development, and concern for the environment

Becker, C., Lauterbach, G., Spengler, S., Dettweiler, U., Mess, F., (2017). Effects of regular classes in outdoor education settings: A systematic review on students' learning, social and health dimensions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14

Outdoor learning spaces: The case of forest school

Outdoor space provides new opportunities for children and teachers to interact in a way that stimulates both teaching and learning

Harris, F., (2017). Outdoor learning spaces: The case of forest school. AREA

From nature deficit to outdoor exploration: Curriculum for sustainability in Vermont's public schools

Vermont elementary school educators find ways to effectively integrate environmental education into their practice

Silverman, J., Corneau, N., (2017). From nature deficit to outdoor exploration: Curriculum for sustainability in Vermont's public schools. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 17(3), 258-273.

Earth at rest: Aesthetic experience and students' grounding in science education

Aesthetic experiences integrated into science education can heighten children’s cognition and their engagement with the natural world

Østergaard, E., (2017). Earth at rest: Aesthetic experience and students' grounding in science education. Science and Education

Stress in school. Some empirical hints on the circadian cortisol rhythm of children in outdoor and indoor classes

Participating in outdoor education classes on a regular basis has a positive effect on children’s stress responses

Dettweiler, U., Becker, C., Auestad, B.H., Simon, P., Kirsch, P., (2017). Stress in school. Some empirical hints on the circadian cortisol rhythm of children in outdoor and indoor classes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(5)

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Nurture thru nature: Creating natural science identities in populations of disadvantaged children through community education partnership

Experimental evidence provides some support for nature-based interventions in improving academic performance in language arts and science

Camasso, M.J., Jagannathan, R., (2018). Nurture thru nature: Creating natural science identities in populations of disadvantaged children through community education partnership. Journal of Environmental Education, 49(1), 30-42.

Place-based outdoor learning: More than a drag and drop approach

Place-based outdoor learning extends the success of the Forest School approach

Lloyd, A., Truong, S., Gray, T., (2018). Place-based outdoor learning: More than a drag and drop approach. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 21, 45-60.

Affordances guiding Forest School practice: The application of the ecological dynamics approach

Ecological Dynamics, with its focus on affordances and the person-environment relationship, could enhance Forest School practice

Sharma-Brymer, V., Brymer, E., Gray, T., Davids, K., (2018). Affordances guiding Forest School practice: The application of the ecological dynamics approach. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 21, 103-115.

Early childhood education in the outdoors in Aotearoa New Zealand

Indigenous Māori worldviews can give meaning and contextualized authenticity to forest school approaches in early childhood education in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Alcock, S., Ritchie, J., (2018). Early childhood education in the outdoors in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 21, 77-88.

First Nation pedagogical emphasis on imitation and making the stuff of life: Canadian lessons for indigenizing Forest Schools

Incorporating First Nations pedagogy in Forest Schools in Canada requires an appreciation of imitative learning

MacEachren, Z., (2018). First Nation pedagogical emphasis on imitation and making the stuff of life: Canadian lessons for indigenizing Forest Schools. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 21, 89-102.

A critique of "Forest School" or something lost in translation

Contributions of Forest School to outdoor education can be enhanced by deep explorations into its cultural and theoretical meaning

Leather, M., (2018). A critique of "Forest School" or something lost in translation. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 21(5), 5-18.

Place-based nature kindergarten in Victoria, Australia: No tools, no toys, no art supplies

Nature kindergarten programs in Victoria, Australia are built around local conditions and influences versus imported Forest School practices

Christiansen, A., Hannan, S., Anderson, K., Coxon, L., Fargher, D., (2018). Place-based nature kindergarten in Victoria, Australia: No tools, no toys, no art supplies. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 21(1), 61-75.

Science in the Learning Gardens (SciLG): A study of students' motivation, achievement, and science identity in low-income middle schools

Students’ motivational experiences in garden-based learning predict science engagement, learning and achievement

Williams, D.R., Brule, H., Kelley, S.S., Skinner, E.A., (2018). Science in the Learning Gardens (SciLG): A study of students' motivation, achievement, and science identity in low-income middle schools. International Journal of STEM Education, 5(8)

Back to the Garten: Ontario kindergarteners learn and grow through schoolyard pedagogy

Inquiry-based learning in the outdoor classroom may promote children’s autonomy

MacDonald, K., Breunig, M., (2018). Back to the Garten: Ontario kindergarteners learn and grow through schoolyard pedagogy. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education

Sustaining schoolyard pedagogy through community academic partnerships

Schoolyard-focused community academic partnerships can be effective in enhancing students’ understanding of ecological principles and increasing their awareness of environmental issues

Breunig, M.C., (2017). Sustaining schoolyard pedagogy through community academic partnerships. Leisure/Loisir, 41(3), 467-490,.

The Hare and the Tortoise go to Forest School: Taking the scenic route to academic attainment via emotional wellbeing outdoors

Young children from disadvantaged backgrounds participating in a 3-year Forest School show increased well-being and academic development

McCree, M., Cutting, R., Sherwin, D., (2018). The Hare and the Tortoise go to Forest School: Taking the scenic route to academic attainment via emotional wellbeing outdoors. Early Child Development and Care, 188(7), 980-996.

Discussing Nature, 'Doing' Nature: For an emancipatory approach to conceptualizing young people's access to outdoor green space

Active engagement with green space can shift children’s view of nature from being abstract and inaccessible to a place where, even children with disabilities, can feel connected to the natural environment

Von Benzon, N., (2018). Discussing Nature, 'Doing' Nature: For an emancipatory approach to conceptualizing young people's access to outdoor green space. Geoforum, 93, 79-86.