White privilege in experiential education: A critical reflection

Increasing diversity in the outdoors is not enough when experiential education traditionally privileges majority participants

Rose, J., Paisley, K., (2012). White privilege in experiential education: A critical reflection. Leisure Sciences, 34(2), 136-154.

Green spaces and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Mothers living in greener areas and close to green spaces may give birth to higher weight babies

Agay-Shay, K., Peled, A., Crespo, A. V., Peretz, C., Amitai, Y., Linn, S., Friger, M., Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J., (2014). Green spaces and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 71, 562-569.

Green space, health inequality and pregnancy

Living near major green spaces may improve birth outcomes for women from lower socioeconomic strata

Dadvand, P., de Nazelle, A., Figueras, F., Basagaña, X., Su, J., Amoly, E., Jerrett, M., Vrijheid, M., Sunyer, J., Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J., (2012). Green space, health inequality and pregnancy. Environment International, 40, 110-115.

Green space, social inequalities and neonatal mortality in France

Further evidence and three potential pathways for the association between green space and improved birth outcomes

Kihal-Talantikite, W., Padilla, C. M., Lalloué, B., Gelormini, M., Zmirou-Navier, D., Deguen, S., (2013). Green space, social inequalities and neonatal mortality in France. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 13, 191.

Orange is the new green: Exploring the restorative capacity of seasonal foliage in schoolyard trees

Seasonal changes in foliage and evergreen conifers enhance the perceived restorative quality of schoolyard environments.

Paddle, E., Gilliland, J., (2016). Orange is the new green: Exploring the restorative capacity of seasonal foliage in schoolyard trees. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(5)

The place of outdoor play in a school community: A case study of recess values

Children develop a sense of competence playing in the woods

Stanley, E., (2011). The place of outdoor play in a school community: A case study of recess values. Children, Youth and Environments, 21(1), 185-211.

Examining trends in adolescent environmental attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors across three decades

Adolescents' environmental concerns have generally declined since the early 1990s

Wray-Lake, L., Flanagan, C. A., Osgood, D. W., (2009). Examining trends in adolescent environmental attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors across three decades. Environment and Behavior, 42(1), 51-85.

Videophilia: Implications for childhood development and conservation

Children are moving from biophilia to videophilia, with developmental and conservation implications

Zaradic, P. A., Pergams, O. R. W., (2007). Videophilia: Implications for childhood development and conservation. Journal of Developmental Processes, 2(1), 130-147.

Ecological knowledge is lost in wealthier communities and countries

With economic growth comes loss of ecological knowledge

Pilgrim, S. E., Cullen, L. C., Smith, D. J., Pretty, J., (2008). Ecological knowledge is lost in wealthier communities and countries. Environmental Science & Technology, 42(4), 1004-1009.

Digital childhood: Electronic media and technology use among infants, toddlers, and preschoolers

Young children are growing up in a media-saturated environment

Vandewater, E. A., Rideout, V. J., Wartella, E. A, Huang, X., Lee, J., Shim, M. S., (2007). Digital childhood: Electronic media and technology use among infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Pediatrics, 119(5), E1006-E1015.

Children living in areas with more street trees have lower prevalence of asthma

Street trees may help prevent early childhood asthma

Lovasi, G. S., Quinn, J. W, Neckerman, K. M., Perzanowski, M., Rundle, A, (2008). Children living in areas with more street trees have lower prevalence of asthma. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 62(7), 647-649.

Student performance and high school landscapes: Examining the links

Exposure to nature during school hours is positively associated with high school student performance

Matsuoka, R.H., (2010). Student performance and high school landscapes: Examining the links. Landscape and Urban Planning, 97(4), 273-282.

A review of correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents

Understanding the factors that influence physical activity in children and adolescents can aid the design of more effective interventions

Sallis, J. F., Prochaska, J. J., Taylor, W. C., (2000). A review of correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), 963-975.

Preschool children and physical activity - A review of correlates

Spending time outdoors, among other factors, is associated with higher levels of physical activity in preschool children

Hinkley, T., Crawford, D., Salmon, J., Okely, A. D., Hesketh, K., (2008). Preschool children and physical activity - A review of correlates. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 34(5), 435-441.

Outdoor activity reduces the prevalence of myopia in children

Spending time outdoors helps prevent myopia in 12-year-olds

Rose, K. A., Morgan, I. G., Ip, J., Kifley, A., Huynh, S., Smith, W., Mitchell, P., (2008). Outdoor activity reduces the prevalence of myopia in children. Ophthalmology, 115(8), 1279-1285.

GIS analysis of urban schoolyard landcover in three U.S. cities

Schoolyards are dominated by turf grass and impervious surface

Schulman, A, Peters, C. A., (2008). GIS analysis of urban schoolyard landcover in three U.S. cities. Urban Ecosystems, 11(1), 65-80.

The influence of personal beliefs, friends, and family in building climate change concern among adolescents

Personal beliefs about global warming proved to be the strongest predictor of climate change concern (CCC) among adolescents.

Stevenson, K.T., Peterson, M. N., Bondell, H.D., (2019). The influence of personal beliefs, friends, and family in building climate change concern among adolescents. Environmental Education Research, 25(6), 832-845.

The characteristics of the outdoor school environment associated with physical activity

Students with more outdoor school facilities are more likely to participate in daily physical activity at recess

Haug, E., Torsheim, T., Sallis, J. F., Samdal, O., (2010). The characteristics of the outdoor school environment associated with physical activity. Health Education Research, 25(2), 248.

High body mass index for age among U.S. children and adolescents, 2003-2006

Prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents did not change between 2003-2006

Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Flegal, K. M., (2008). High body mass index for age among U.S. children and adolescents, 2003-2006. JAMA, 299(20), 2401-2405.

The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds

Play is critical to healthy child development

Ginsburg, K. R., (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182-191.

Playing it safe: The influence of neighbourhood safety on children's physical activity - A review

Neighborhood safety influences children's physical activity

Carver, A., Timperio, A., Crawford, D., (2008). Playing it safe: The influence of neighbourhood safety on children's physical activity - A review. Health & Place, 14(2), 217-227.

The neighborhood and home environments: Disparate relationships with physical activity and sedentary behaviors in youth

To increase children's physical activity, planners need to design environments that support active living and parents should limit access to television

Roemmich, J. N., Epstein, L. H., Raja, S., Yin, L., (2007). The neighborhood and home environments: Disparate relationships with physical activity and sedentary behaviors in youth. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 33(1), 29-38.

Determinants of activity-friendly neighborhoods for children: Results from the SPACE study

Children's physical activity is associated with modifiable features of the built environment

de Vries, S. I, Bakker, I., van Mechelen, W, Hopman-Rock, M., (2007). Determinants of activity-friendly neighborhoods for children: Results from the SPACE study. American Journal of Health Promotion, 21(4), 312-316.

Promotion of physical activity in children

Physical activity is an evidence-based intervention that offers benefits to both physical and mental health

Floriani, V., Kennedy, C., (2008). Promotion of physical activity in children. Current Opinions in Pediatrics, 20, 90-95.

The impact of children's exposure to greenspace on physical activity, cognitive development, emotional wellbeing, and ability to appraise risk

Greenspace promotes both physical activity and emotional well-being.

Ward, J., Duncan, J.S., Jarden, A., Stewart, T., (2016). The impact of children's exposure to greenspace on physical activity, cognitive development, emotional wellbeing, and ability to appraise risk. Health & Place, 40, 44-50.

Social and physical environmental factors influencing adolescents’ physical activity in urban public open spaces: A qualitative study using walk-along interviews

A combination of social and physical factors influences visits to and behavior in public open spaces.

Van Hecke, L., Deforche, B., Van Dyck, D., De Bourdeaudhui, I., Veitch, J., Van Cauwenberg, J., (2016). Social and physical environmental factors influencing adolescents’ physical activity in urban public open spaces: A qualitative study using walk-along interviews. PLOS ONE

Trajectories of positive and negative behavior during participation in equine facilitated learning program for horse-novice youth

Participation in 4-H equine program contributes to increased positive and decreased negative behaviors in fifth to eighth graders

Pendry, P., Roeter, S., Smith, A., Jacobson, S., Erdman, P., (2013). Trajectories of positive and negative behavior during participation in equine facilitated learning program for horse-novice youth. Journal of Extension, 51(1)

Where they live, how they play: Neighborhood greenness and outdoor physical activity among preschoolers

Neighborhood greenness increases physical activity in preschoolers

Grigsby-Toussaint, D. S., Chi, S., Fiese, B. H., (2011). Where they live, how they play: Neighborhood greenness and outdoor physical activity among preschoolers. International Journal of Health Geographics, 10, 66.

Social contexts of development in natural outdoor environments: Children’s motor activities, personal challenges and peer interactions at the river and the creek

Unstructured natural environments offer more personal challenges than semi-structured natural environments.

McClain, C., Vandermaas-Peeler, M., (2016). Social contexts of development in natural outdoor environments: Children’s motor activities, personal challenges and peer interactions at the river and the creek. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 16(1), 31-48.

Examining the conflict and interconnectedness of young people’s ideas about environmental issues, responsibility and action

A sense of hope is a key driver of students’ endorsement of environmental action

Wilks, L, Harris, N., (2016). Examining the conflict and interconnectedness of young people’s ideas about environmental issues, responsibility and action. Environmental Education Research, 22(5), 683-696.

The restorative effects of redesigning the schoolyard: A multi-methodological, quasi-experimental study in rural Austrian middle schools

Greening of a schoolyard results in improved well-being and diminished physiological stress

Kelz, C., Evans, G. W., Röderer, K., (2013). The restorative effects of redesigning the schoolyard: A multi-methodological, quasi-experimental study in rural Austrian middle schools. Environment and Behavior, 47(2), 119-139.

Growing minds: The effects of a one-year school garden program on six constructs of life skills of elementary school children

School garden program positively influenced development of skills in teamwork and self-understanding

Robinson, C.W., Zajicek, J.M., (2005). Growing minds: The effects of a one-year school garden program on six constructs of life skills of elementary school children. HortTechnology, 15(3), 453-457.

Yesterday’s conservationists: How were they educated about the outdoors and the environment?

Factors influencing environmental attitudes of historic conservationists include interaction with nature, family and education.

Place, G.S., (2016). Yesterday’s conservationists: How were they educated about the outdoors and the environment?. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

Embracing risk in the Canadian woodlands: Four children’s risky play and risk-taking experiences in a Canadian Forest Kindergarten

Children engage in a variety of risk-taking behaviors at a Forest Kindergarten.

Coe, H. A., (2016). Embracing risk in the Canadian woodlands: Four children’s risky play and risk-taking experiences in a Canadian Forest Kindergarten. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 15(4), 374-388.

Is the environment near home and school associated with physical activity and adiposity of urban preschool children?

The number of trees and parks in a neighborhood impact children’s physical activity and adiposity

Lovasi, G. S., Jacobson, J. S., Quinn, J. W., Neckerman, K. M., Ashby-Thompson, M. N., Rundle, A., (2011). Is the environment near home and school associated with physical activity and adiposity of urban preschool children?. Journal of Urban Health, 88(6), 1143-1157.

The relationship between children's perceptions of the natural environment and their subjective wellbeing

No relationship between the environmental views and subjective well-being of children in South Africa

Adams, S., Savahl, S., Casas, R., (2016). The relationship between children's perceptions of the natural environment and their subjective wellbeing. Children's Geographies

Technological inroads into understanding city children's natural life-worlds

Computer-based mapping allows children to provide information about their ecological knowledge and nature interactions

Freeman, R., van Heezik, Y., Stein, A., Hand, K., (2016). Technological inroads into understanding city children's natural life-worlds. Children's Geographies, 14(2), 158-174.

Vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents: Epidemiology, impact and treatment

Many children and adolescents are vitamin D deficient

Huh, S. Y., Gordon, C. M., (2008). Vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents: Epidemiology, impact and treatment. Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders, 9(2), 161-170.

Nature and the life course: Pathways from childhood nature experiences to adult environmentalism

Childhood nature experiences may be an important pathway to adult environmental attitudes and behaviors

Wells, N. M., Lekies, K. S., (2006). Nature and the life course: Pathways from childhood nature experiences to adult environmentalism. Children, Youth and Environments, 16(1), 41663.

Theorizing family-based nature activities and family functioning: The integration of attention restoration theory with a family routines and rituals perspective

Family-based nature activities can promote positive family functioning more so than other types of leisure contexts.

Izenstark, E., Ebata, A.T., (2016). Theorizing family-based nature activities and family functioning: The integration of attention restoration theory with a family routines and rituals perspective. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 8(2), 137-153.

The childhood factor - Adult visits to green places and the significance of childhood experience

Childhood experiences in natural spaces are strong predictors of adult use and attitudes toward natural spaces

Ward Thompson, C., Aspinall, P., Montarzino, A., (2008). The childhood factor - Adult visits to green places and the significance of childhood experience. Environment and Behavior, 40(1), 111-143.

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity from ages 9 to 15 years

As children get older they are less physically active

Nader, P. R., Bradley, R. H., Houts, R. M., McRitchie, S. L., O'Brien, M., (2008). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity from ages 9 to 15 years. JAMA, 300(3), 295-305.

Does viewing documentary films affect environmental perceptions and behaviors?

After viewing a nature-focused film, students associated “self” with “natural” vs. “built” environments

Janpol, H. L., Dilts, R., (2016). Does viewing documentary films affect environmental perceptions and behaviors?. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 15(1), 90-98.

Patterns of obesogenic neighborhood features and adolescent weight: A comparison of statistical approaches

Access to park/recreation space is associated with body mass index in adolescents

Wall, M. M., Larson, N. I., Forsyth, A., Van Riper, D. C., Graham, D. J., Story, M. T., Neumark-Sztainer, D., (2012). Patterns of obesogenic neighborhood features and adolescent weight: A comparison of statistical approaches. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42(5), e65-e75.

Using online narratives to explore participant experiences in a residential environmental education program

Blog entries indicated that connection to place, personal growth, and identity were critical aspects of children’s participation in a residential environmental education program.

Ardoin, N.M., DiGiano, M, O'Connor, K., Holthuis, N., (2016). Using online narratives to explore participant experiences in a residential environmental education program. Children's Geographies, 14(3), 263-281.

Mothers' perceived proximity to green space is associated with TV viewing time in children: The Growing Up in Scotland study

Distance between home and green/open spaces is associated with the amount of time children watch TV

Aggio, D., Smith, L., Fisher, A., Hamer, M., (2015). Mothers' perceived proximity to green space is associated with TV viewing time in children: The Growing Up in Scotland study. Preventive Medicine, 70, 46-49.

Is love of nature in the US becoming love of electronic media? 16-year downtrend in national park visits explained by watching movies, playing video games, internet use, and oil prices

We are visiting U.S. national parks less often

Pergams, O. R. W., Zaradic, P. A., (2006). Is love of nature in the US becoming love of electronic media? 16-year downtrend in national park visits explained by watching movies, playing video games, internet use, and oil prices. Journal of Environmental Management, 80(4), 387-393.

Urban children's access to their neighborhood: Changes over three generations

The availability of supportive and diverse play environments and children's access to neighborhood space has declined

Gaster, S., (1991). Urban children's access to their neighborhood: Changes over three generations. Environment and Behavior, 23(1), 70-85.

Exposure to neighborhood green space and mental health: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin

Higher levels of neighborhood green space are associated with significantly lower levels of symptoms related to depression, anxiety and stress

Beyer, K.M.M., Kaltenbach, A., Szabo, A., Bogar, S., Nieto, F.J, Malecki, K.M., (2014). Exposure to neighborhood green space and mental health: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11(3), 3453-3472.

Garden affordances for social learning, play, and for building nature-child relationship

Child-directed non-structured play is important in promoting pro-social learning opportunities, development and connection with nature

Laaksoharju, T., Rappe, E., Kaivola, T., (2012). Garden affordances for social learning, play, and for building nature-child relationship. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 11, 195-203.