Tanzanian and Canadian children's valued school experiences: A cross case comparison

Time for outdoor play at school is highly valued by young children in different cultural and geographical contexts

Streelasky, J., (2017). Tanzanian and Canadian children's valued school experiences: A cross case comparison. International Journal of Early Years, 25(3), 274-291.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Biodiverse edible schools: Linking healthy food, school gardens and local urban biodiversity

Biodiverse edible schools link local urban nature and healthy food

Fischer, L.K., Brinkmeyer, D., Karle, S.J., Cremer, K., Huttner, E., Seebauer, M., Nowikow, U., Schutze, B., Voigt, P., Volker, S., Kowarik, I., (2018). Biodiverse edible schools: Linking healthy food, school gardens and local urban biodiversity. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

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.

Modeling child-nature interaction in a nature preschool: A proof of concept

Child–nature interaction can be modeled in a nature preschool based on interaction patterns

Kahn, P.H., Weiss, T., Harrington, K., (2018). Modeling child-nature interaction in a nature preschool: A proof of concept. Frontiers in Psychology, 9

A forest-based environment as a site of literacy and meaning making for kindergarten children

A forest environment provides kindergarten children with rich opportunities for literacy and meaning making

Streelasky, J., (2018). A forest-based environment as a site of literacy and meaning making for kindergarten children. Literacy

Young children claiming their connection with nonhuman nature in their schoolground

Four-year-old children express an authentic need for connecting with nonhuman nature in their schoolground

Tsevreni, I., Tigka, A., (2018). Young children claiming their connection with nonhuman nature in their schoolground. Children, Youth and Environments, 28(1), 119-127.

What is different about Forest School? Creating a space for an alternative pedagogy

The divergence and freedoms inherent in Forest School may contribute to the well-being of participants

Waite, S., Goodenough, A., (2018). What is different about Forest School? Creating a space for an alternative pedagogy. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 21(1), 25-44.

Characteristics of forest sites used by a Danish forest preschool

Loose parts and shielded places are highly-desired features of forest sites for preschool children

Lerstrup, I., Refshauge, A.D., (2016). Characteristics of forest sites used by a Danish forest preschool. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 20(1), 387-396.

Listening in: Spontaneous teacher talk on playscapes

Nature-based events tend to elicit science-relevant teacher talk

Kloos, H,, Maltbie, C., Brown, R., Carr, V., (2018). Listening in: Spontaneous teacher talk on playscapes. Creative Education, 9, 426-441.

Illnesses and injuries at nature preschools

Nature preschools are safe for young children

Frenkel, H., Tandon, P., Frumkin, H., Vander Stoep, A., (2018). Illnesses and injuries at nature preschools. Environment and Behavior

Cultivating positive youth development, critical consciousness, and authentic care in urban environmental education

Physical and social features of an urban environmental education leadership program act as affordances in promoting youth assets and critical consciousness

Delia, J., Krasny, M.E., (2018). Cultivating positive youth development, critical consciousness, and authentic care in urban environmental education. Frontiers in Psychology, 15

Green writing: The influence of natural spaces on primary students' poetic writing in the UK and Australia

Students with direct experience of nature produced richer poetic writing than students with vicarious contact with nature

Gardner, P., Kuzich, S., (2018). Green writing: The influence of natural spaces on primary students' poetic writing in the UK and Australia. Cambridge Journal of Education, 48(4), 427-443.

Unsettling food security: The role of young people in Indigenous food system revitalisation

Children have a key role to play in revitalizing the critical connection between access to Indigenous food systems and Indigenous food security

Bagelman, C., (2018). Unsettling food security: The role of young people in Indigenous food system revitalisation. Children & Society, 32(3), 219-232.

Nature-based learning for student achievement and ecological citizenship

Nature-based learning recognizes and addresses the needs of both students and the natural world

Chawla, L., (2018). Nature-based learning for student achievement and ecological citizenship. Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue, 20(1 & 2)

Developing ecological literacy in a forest garden: Children's perspectives

Forest gardens can be used to foster children's ecological literacy

Hammarsten, M., Askerlund, P., Almers, E., Avery, H., Samuelsson, T., (2019). Developing ecological literacy in a forest garden: Children's perspectives. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning,, 19(3), 227-241.

Using culturally-relevant experiential education to enhance urban children's knowledge and engagement in science

An experiential science education program with a focus on cultural relevancy and eco-justice increased urban children’s knowledge and engagement in science

Djonko-Moore, C., Leonard, J., Holifield, Q., Bailey, E.B., Almughyirah, S.M., (2018). Using culturally-relevant experiential education to enhance urban children's knowledge and engagement in science. Journal of Experiential Education, 41(2), 137-153.

Use of children's literature to support an emerging curriculum model of education for sustainable development for young learners

Children’s literature can be an integral component of education for sustainable development for young learners

Bhagwanji, Y., Born, P., (2018). Use of children's literature to support an emerging curriculum model of education for sustainable development for young learners. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 12(2), 85-102.

The effectiveness of a head-heart-hands model for natural and environmental science learning in urban schools

Disadvantaged youth showed improved academic performance after participating in an environmental and science education program using a head-heart-hands approach

Jagannathan, R., Camasso, M.J., Delacalle, M., (2018). The effectiveness of a head-heart-hands model for natural and environmental science learning in urban schools. Evaluation and Program Planning, 66, 53-62.

Nature contact at school: The impact of an outdoor classroom on children's well-being

Outdoor classrooms can be used for increasing nature contact and promoting student well-being

Largo-Wight, E., Guardino, C., Wludyka, P.S., Hall, K.W., Wight, J.T., Merten, J.W., (2018). Nature contact at school: The impact of an outdoor classroom on children's well-being. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 28(6), 653-666.

Learning in the Finnish outdoor classroom: Pupils' views

Reflection on learning may raise students’ awareness of what they’re learning in an outdoor setting

Sjoblom, P., Svens, M., (2019). Learning in the Finnish outdoor classroom: Pupils' views. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning,, 19(4), 301-314.

Playing with mud - becoming stuck, becoming free?... The negotiation of gendered/class identities when learning outdoors

More-than-humans, along with gender and class expectations, shape children’s nature-related experiences

Mycock, K., (2019). Playing with mud - becoming stuck, becoming free?... The negotiation of gendered/class identities when learning outdoors. Children's Geographies, 17(4), 454-466.

From aversion to affinity in a preschooler's relationships with nature

Social relationships and direct experiences with nature serve as catalysts in shaping a child’s connections with nature

Kharod, D., Arreguín-Anderson, M.G., (2018). From aversion to affinity in a preschooler's relationships with nature. Ecopsychology

Inconsistencies in early science education: Can nature help streamline state standards?

Explorations in playspaces with natural elements can provide the foundation for early science learning

Kloos, H., Waltzer, T., Maltbie, C., Brown, R.D., Carr, V., (2018). Inconsistencies in early science education: Can nature help streamline state standards?. Ecopsychology, 10(4)

Running Wild: Engaging and empowering future custodians of place through creative nature-based play

Creative nature-based play embedded in the participatory arts fosters children’s connection to nature and promotes their ability to act as agents of change in their local environment

Beer, T., Cook, A., Kantor, K., (2018). Running Wild: Engaging and empowering future custodians of place through creative nature-based play. Journal of Public Pedagogies,, 3