Promoting children-nature relations through play-based learning in ecotourism sites

Adults play an essential role in influencing children’s learning about nature and forming positive relationships with nature.

King, H., García-Rosell, J., Noakes, S., (2020). Promoting children-nature relations through play-based learning in ecotourism sites. Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, 20(3), 190-201.

Designing an impactful sensory garden for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder

Sensory gardens can be therapeutic environments for children with autism as well as welcoming spaces for all ages and abilities

Wagenfeld, A., Sotelo, M., Kamp, D., (2019). Designing an impactful sensory garden for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder. Children, Youth and Environments, 29(1), 137-152.

Correlates of children's physical activity during the COVID-19 confinement in Portugal

Children’s physical activity levels during prolonged confinement are linked to the conditions in which they live

Pombo, A., Luz, C., Rodrigues, L.P., Ferreire, C., Cordovil, R., (2020). Correlates of children's physical activity during the COVID-19 confinement in Portugal. Public Health, 189, 14-19.

Applying the pathways to nature connectedness at a societal scale: A leverage points perspective

A “pathways to nature connectedness” framework can inform different segments of society on how to be more effective in fostering closer human-nature relationships

Richardson, M., Dobson, J., Abson, D. J., Lumber, R., Hunt, A., Young, R., Moorhouse, B., (2020). Applying the pathways to nature connectedness at a societal scale: A leverage points perspective. Ecosystems and People, 16(1), 387-401.

The impact of school gardens on youth social and emotional learning: A scoping review

Some research suggests that school garden programs may promote social emotional learning, yet more rigorous studies are needed to investigate this assertion

Lohr, A. M., Krause, K. C., McClelland, J., Gorden, N. V., Gerald, L. B., Casino Jr, V. D., Wilkinson-Lee, A., Carvajal, S. C., (2020). The impact of school gardens on youth social and emotional learning: A scoping review. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 1-14.

Attachment, nature, and the young child's felt sense of God

Attachment to nature through sensory experiences may help a young child develop a felt sense of God

Christian, B. J., (2020). Attachment, nature, and the young child's felt sense of God. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 29(1), 47-60.

Nature-based education: using nature trails as a tool to promote inquiry-based science and math learning in young children

“Nature trails” concept helps early childhood teachers gain confidence in nature-based education for young children

Lee, C. K., Bailie, P. E., (2020). Nature-based education: using nature trails as a tool to promote inquiry-based science and math learning in young children. Science Activities, 56(4), 147-158.

Greenspace interventions for mental health in clinical and non-clinical populations: What works, for whom, and in what circumstances?

The interaction of nature, individual changes, and social changes are linked to desired outcomes for greenspace mental health interventions

Masterton, W., Carver, H., Parks, T., Park, K., (2020). Greenspace interventions for mental health in clinical and non-clinical populations: What works, for whom, and in what circumstances?. Health and Place, 64, 1-19.

COVID-19 pandemic impact on children and adolescents’ mental health: Biological, environmental, and social factors

The negative impact of COVID-related stressors on children and adolescents call for a robust public health response

de Figueiredo, C. S., Sandre, P. C., Portugal, L. C. L., Mazala-de-Oliveira, T., Chagas, L. D. S., Rainy, I, Ferreira, E. S., Giestal-de-Araujo, E., dos Santos, A. A., Bomfim, P. O., (2021). COVID-19 pandemic impact on children and adolescents’ mental health: Biological, environmental, and social factors. Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 106

Landscapes of becoming social: A systematic review of evidence for associations and pathways between interactions with nature and socioemotional development in children

Review of the literature reveals considerable – but inconsistent – evidence of positive associations between children’s interaction with nature and their socioemotional development.

Mygind, L., Kurtzhals, M., Nowell, C., Melby, P. S., Stevenson, M. P., Nieuwenhuijsen, M., Lum, J. A. G., Flensborg-Madsen, T., Bentsen, P., Enticott, P. G., (2021). Landscapes of becoming social: A systematic review of evidence for associations and pathways between interactions with nature and socioemotional development in children. Environment International, 146

Greener schoolyards, greener futures? Greener schoolyards buffer decreased contact with nature and are linked to connectedness to nature

Green schoolyards are associated with greater nature contact, restorativeness, positive attitudes toward nature and connection to nature

Luís, S., Dias, R., Lima, M. L., (2020). Greener schoolyards, greener futures? Greener schoolyards buffer decreased contact with nature and are linked to connectedness to nature. Frontiers in Psychology, 11

The art of working with nature in nature-based therapies

Practitioners of nature-based therapy describe nature as an active agent in the therapeutic process

Naor, L., Mayseless, O., (2020). The art of working with nature in nature-based therapies. Journal of Experiential Education

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of children and young people

The negative impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and youth requires an urgent response from government agencies

Cowie, H., Myers, C., (2020). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of children and young people. Children and Society

Indigenous children's connectedness to nature: The potential influence of culture, gender and exposure to a contaminated environment

Cultural, social, and environmental factors influence Indigenous children’s connectedness to nature

Sedawi, W., Assaraf, O. B. Z., Reiss, M. J., (2020). Indigenous children's connectedness to nature: The potential influence of culture, gender and exposure to a contaminated environment. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 15, 955-989.

Associations of exposure to green space with problem behaviours in preschool-aged children

Exposure to green space—especially at school—reduces a range of problem behaviors in childhood

Liao, J., Yang, S., Xia, W., Peng, A., Zhao, J., Li, Y., Zhang, Y., Qian, Z., Vaughn, M., Schootman, M., Zhang, B., Xu, S., (2020). Associations of exposure to green space with problem behaviours in preschool-aged children. International Journal of Epidemiology, 49(3), 944-953.

Children's augmented storying in, with and for nature

Augmented storying can invite positive interactions with nature

Kumpulainen, K., Byman, J., Renlund, J., Wong, C. C., (2020). Children's augmented storying in, with and for nature. Education Sciences, 10(149), 1-15.

School ground pedagogies for enriching children's outdoor learning

Outdoor learning can broaden and transform curriculum and pedagogy in place-oriented ways

Green, M., Rayner, M., (2020). School ground pedagogies for enriching children's outdoor learning. International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 3-13.

Young families and children in gentrifying neighbourhoods: How gentrification reshapes use and perception of green play spaces

Gentrification affects use of green play spaces by young families, impacting community building

Oscilowicz, E., Honey-Rosés, J., Anguelovski, I., Triguero-Mas, M., Cole, H., (2020). Young families and children in gentrifying neighbourhoods: How gentrification reshapes use and perception of green play spaces. Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, 25(10), 765-786.

Beyond traditional school readiness: How nature preschools help prepare children for academic success

Nature preschools can be effective in promoting school readiness

Burgess, E., Ernst, J., (2020). Beyond traditional school readiness: How nature preschools help prepare children for academic success. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 7(2), 17-33.

Does greenery experienced indoors and outdoors provide an escape and support mental health during the COVID-19 quarantine?

University students who spent most of their time at home during the COVID-19 epidemic experienced better mental health when exposed to more greenery

Dzhambov, A. M., Lercher, P., Browning, M. H. E. M., Stoyanov, D., Petrova, N., Novakov, S., Dimitrova, D. D., (2020). Does greenery experienced indoors and outdoors provide an escape and support mental health during the COVID-19 quarantine?. Environmental Research

Particularities of having plants at home during the confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Plants at home positively influenced the emotional well-being of adults during the COVID-19 confinement period

Perez-Urrestarazu, L., Kaltsidi, M. P., Nektarios, P. A., Markakis, G., Loges, V., Perini, K., Fernandez-Canero, R., (2020). Particularities of having plants at home during the confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

Adverse childhood experiences: The protective and therapeutic potential of nature

The therapeutic and protective potential of nature for children with adverse childhood experiences warrants the attention of researchers and practitioners

Touloumakos, A. K., Barrable, A., (2020). Adverse childhood experiences: The protective and therapeutic potential of nature. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-9.

Children in nature: Exploring the relationship between childhood outdoor experience and environmental stewardship

Appreciative outdoor activities during childhood promote connection to nature and environmental-citizenship behaviors

Hoover, K. S., (2021). Children in nature: Exploring the relationship between childhood outdoor experience and environmental stewardship. Environmental Education Research, 27(6), 894-910.

Physical activity and screen time of children and adolescents before and during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Germany: A natural experiment

Physical activity and screen time behaviors can decrease or increase concurrently

Schmidt, S. C. E., Anedda, B., Burchartz, A., Eichsteller, A., Kolb, S., Nigg, C., Niessner, C., Oriwol, D., Worth, A., Woll, A., (2020). Physical activity and screen time of children and adolescents before and during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Germany: A natural experiment. Scientific Reports, 10

Using transformative learning theory to understand outdoor adventure education

Challenging activities, supportive relationships, and reflection facilitate transformative learning in outdoor adventure education

Meerts-Brandsma, L., Sibthorp, J., Rochelle, S., (2020). Using transformative learning theory to understand outdoor adventure education. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

Accessing green space in Melbourne: Measuring inequity and household mobility

Household mobility, along with the history of park development, can contribute to inequalities in access to green space

Sharifi, F., Nygaard, A., Stone, W. M., Levin, I., (2021). Accessing green space in Melbourne: Measuring inequity and household mobility. Landscape and Urban Planning, 207

School greening: Right or privilege? Examining urban nature within and around primary schools through an equity lens

Considering multiple indicators of green infrastructure and different dimensions of equity may help reduce disparities in urban children’s access to nature

Baro, F., Camacho, D. A., Del Pulgar, C. P., Triguero-Mas, M., Anguelovski, I., (2021). School greening: Right or privilege? Examining urban nature within and around primary schools through an equity lens. Landscape and Urban Planning, 208

The impact of nature-based education on health-related quality of life among low-income youth: Results from an intervention study

A school-based nature education program had a significant positive effect on the health-related quality of life of low-income youth

Sprague, N. L., Ekenga, C. C., (2021). The impact of nature-based education on health-related quality of life among low-income youth: Results from an intervention study. Journal of Public Health, 1-8.

Nature in your face - Disruptive climate change communication and eco-visualization as part of a garden-based learning approach involving primary school children and teachers in co-creating the future

Emotional confrontation may play an important role in addressing environmental problems

Löfström, E., Klöckner, C. A., Nesvold, I. H., (2020). Nature in your face - Disruptive climate change communication and eco-visualization as part of a garden-based learning approach involving primary school children and teachers in co-creating the future. Frontiers in Psychology, 11

Subjective proximity to green spaces and blood pressure in children and adolescents: The CASPIAN-V study

Subjective proximity to green spaces might not be associated with lower blood pressure in children

Abbasi, B., Pourmirzeai, M., Hariri, S., Heshmat, R., Qorbani, M., Dadvand, P., Kelishadi, R,, (2020). Subjective proximity to green spaces and blood pressure in children and adolescents: The CASPIAN-V study. Journal of Environmental and Public Health

Impact of outdoor nature‐related activities on gut microbiota, fecal serotonin, and perceived stress in preschool children: The Play & Grow randomized controlled trial

Exposure to bacteria in natural environments could be beneficial to behavioral outcomes for young children

Sobko, T., Liang, S., Cheng, W. H. G., Tun, H. M., (2020). Impact of outdoor nature‐related activities on gut microbiota, fecal serotonin, and perceived stress in preschool children: The Play & Grow randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 10

Access and use of green areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: Green infrastructure management in the "new normal"

Socioeconomic factors influenced the frequency of green space visits before and during the COVID pandemic

Uchiyama, Y., Kohsaka, R, (2020). Access and use of green areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: Green infrastructure management in the "new normal". Sustainability, 12(23)

Experiencing nature to satisfy basic psychological needs in parenting: A quasi-experiment in family shelters

Family nature engagement when living in a shelter can support parents’ psychological needs

Peters, E., Mass, J., Hovinga, D., den Bogerd, N. V., Schuengel, C., (2020). Experiencing nature to satisfy basic psychological needs in parenting: A quasi-experiment in family shelters. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17

“To them, we're just kids from the hood”: Citizen-based policing of youth of color, “white space,” and environmental gentrification

Citizen-based policing targets minority youth in parks in neighborhoods experiencing environmental gentrification

Harris, B., Rigolon, A., Fernandez, M., (2020). “To them, we're just kids from the hood”: Citizen-based policing of youth of color, “white space,” and environmental gentrification. Cities, 107

Contact with blue-green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown beneficial for mental health

Nature helped people from different countries cope with lockdown during COVID-19

Pouso, S., Borja, A., Fleming, L. E., Gómez-Baggethun, E., White, M. P., Ulyarra, M. C., (2021). Contact with blue-green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown beneficial for mental health. Science of the Total Environment, 756

Connectedness with nature and individual responses to a pandemic: An exploratory study

Connectedness to nature may shape individual reactions to a pandemic crisis

Haasova, S., Czellar, S., Rahmani, L., Morgan, N., (2020). Connectedness with nature and individual responses to a pandemic: An exploratory study. Frontiers in Psychology, 11

Urban vegetation slows down the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the United States

Urban vegetation plays an important role in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the United States

You, Y., Pan, S., (2020). Urban vegetation slows down the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the United States. Geophysical Research Letters, 47(18), 1-9.

Growing a garden-based approach to art education

Garden-based art education programs can promote environmental awareness and advocacy

Inwood, H., Sharpe, J., (2018). Growing a garden-based approach to art education. Art Education, 71(4), 43-49.

Place-based practice: Landscapes and artistic identity in an elementary art classroom

A pedagogy of place in art education may help students understand connections between the landscape and their sense of self

Neves, M., Graham, M. A., (2018). Place-based practice: Landscapes and artistic identity in an elementary art classroom. Art Education, 71(4), 36-42.

Educating through art, ecology, and ecojustice: A rain barrel project

Artmaking can help students address local ecological challenges

Miller, W., Cardamone, A., (2021). Educating through art, ecology, and ecojustice: A rain barrel project. Art Education, 71(1), 40-45.

Fostering connections to nature - Strategies for community college early childhood teachers

Nature-focused activities embedded in a preservice teacher program can promote knowledge, skills, and dispositions for early childhood nature education

Murphy, D., (2017). Fostering connections to nature - Strategies for community college early childhood teachers. The New Educator, 13(3), 195-206.

Supporting children's well-being with art in nature: Artist pedagogue perceptions

Nature-based art activities can support children’s mental health and well-being

Walshe, N., Lee, E., Smith, M. J., (2020). Supporting children's well-being with art in nature: Artist pedagogue perceptions. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 14(1), 98-112.

"Face the cow": Reconnecting to nature and increasing capacities for pro-environmental agency

Arts-based environmental education can be effective in promoting nature connectedness and pro-environmental agency

Raatikainen, K. J., Juhola, K., Huhmarniemi, M., Peña-Lagos, H., (2020). "Face the cow": Reconnecting to nature and increasing capacities for pro-environmental agency. Ecosystems and People, 16(1), 273-289.

Collaborating with theatre, nature, and STEM: A multigenerational family event

Nature and art-based community events can promote multigenerational family interactions

Reinking, A. K., Vetere III, M. J., Percell, J. C., (2017). Collaborating with theatre, nature, and STEM: A multigenerational family event. New Waves Educational Research & Development, 20(1), 23-37.

Forest therapy can prevent and treat depression: Evidence from meta-analyses

Forest therapy is more effective in preventing or treating depression than alternative interventions

Rosa, C. D., Larson, L. R., Collado, S., Profice, C. C., (2021). Forest therapy can prevent and treat depression: Evidence from meta-analyses. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 57

Physical distancing, children and urban health: The COVID-19 crisis' impact on children and how this could affect future urban planning and design policies

Planning for a healthier post-COVID world requires attention to the needs of children

Kyriazis, A., Mews, G., Belpaire, E., Aerts, J., Malik, S. A., (2020). Physical distancing, children and urban health: The COVID-19 crisis' impact on children and how this could affect future urban planning and design policies. Cities and Health

Examine the associations between perceived neighborhood conditions, physical activity, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Higher income US neighborhoods had more health-promoting features before the COVID-19 pandemic and more positive changes during the outbreak

Yang, Y., Xiang, X., (2021). Examine the associations between perceived neighborhood conditions, physical activity, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health & Place, 67

Balancing technology and outdoor learning: Implications for early childhood teacher educators

Balancing technology and outdoor learning can enhance early childhood education

Siskind, D., Conlin, D., Kim, S., Barnes, A., Yaya-Bryson, D., (2020). Balancing technology and outdoor learning: Implications for early childhood teacher educators. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education

Residential self-selection in the greenness-wellbeing connection: A family composition perspective

Residential self-selection and family composition characteristics can impact the greenness-wellbeing connection

Wu, W., Yun, Y., Zhai, J., Sun, Y., Zhang, G., Wang, H., (2021). Residential self-selection in the greenness-wellbeing connection: A family composition perspective. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 59

'Oh no, the stick keeps falling!': An analytical framework for conceptualising young children’s interactions during free play in a woodland setting

Free play of preschoolers in a woodland setting tends to be autonomous, child led and imaginary

Ellis, C., Beauchamp, G., Sarwar, S., Tyrie, J., Adams, D., Dumitrescu, S., Haughton, C., (2021). 'Oh no, the stick keeps falling!': An analytical framework for conceptualising young children’s interactions during free play in a woodland setting. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 1-18.