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.

Food for thought: The intersection of gardens, education, and community at Edible Schoolyard New Orleans

Edible schoolyard garden in New Orleans promotes students' food security, environmental knowledge, and emotional and social well-being

Fakharzadeh, S., (2015). Food for thought: The intersection of gardens, education, and community at Edible Schoolyard New Orleans. Children, Youth and Environments, 25(3), 175-187.

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)

Shifting gears: Engaging nurse practitioners in prescribing time outdoors

Nurse practitioners can serve as catalysts in promoting healthier lifestyles through Park Prescription initiatives

Wessel, L.A., (2017). Shifting gears: Engaging nurse practitioners in prescribing time outdoors. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(1), 89-96.

Early childhood environmental education in tropical and coastal areas: A meta-analysis

Informal learning activities can help young children learn about the natural world

Sawitri, D.R., (2017). Early childhood environmental education in tropical and coastal areas: A meta-analysis. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 55

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.

Companion animals and child/adolescent development: A systematic review of the evidence

Pet ownership may be beneficial to child and adolescent emotional, cognitive, behavioral, educational and social development

Purewal, R., Christley, R., Kordas, K., Joinson, C,, Meints, K., Gee, N,, Westgarth, C., (2017). Companion animals and child/adolescent development: A systematic review of the evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3)

Pedagogical school gardens as a Food and Nutrition Education strategy: Perception of parents and educators of their impact on children's diets

Children and families experience dietary benefits of school gardens

Garcia, M.T., Coelho, D.E.P., Bogus, C.M., (2017). Pedagogical school gardens as a Food and Nutrition Education strategy: Perception of parents and educators of their impact on children's diets. Demetra

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.

Eco-school evaluation beyond labels: The impact of environmental policy, didactics and nature at school on student outcomes

Active teaching methods, environmental education policy, and the presence and use of natural green elements impact eco-schools’ environmental education outcomes

Boeve-de Pauw, J., Van Petegem, P., (2018). Eco-school evaluation beyond labels: The impact of environmental policy, didactics and nature at school on student outcomes. Environmental Education Research, 24(9), 1250-1267.

Live green, think green: Sustainable school architecture and children's environmental attitudes and behaviors

Sustainable school design promotes students’ pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors

Tucker, R., Izadpanahi, P., (2017). Live green, think green: Sustainable school architecture and children's environmental attitudes and behaviors. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 51, 209-216.

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.

The meaning of participation in school ground greening: A study from project to everyday setting

Children’s participation in school ground greening planning influences functionality; participation in management phases results in student engagement and satisfaction

Jansson, M., Martensson, F., Gunnarsson, A., (2018). The meaning of participation in school ground greening: A study from project to everyday setting. Landscape Research, 43(1), 163-179.

'If there's no sustainability our future will get wrecked': Exploring children's perspectives of sustainability

Children’s ideas about sustainability are developed through experiential, investigative, sensorial and place-oriented ways of learning

Green, M., (2017). 'If there's no sustainability our future will get wrecked': Exploring children's perspectives of sustainability. Childhood, 24(2), 151-167.

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.

Between indigenous and non-indigenous: Urban/nature/child pedagogies

Integrating indigenous perspectives and environmental education broadens place-based pedagogies

Somerville, M., Hickey, S., (2017). Between indigenous and non-indigenous: Urban/nature/child pedagogies. Environmental Education Research, 23(10), 1427-1439.

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.

Sowing seeds for healthier diets: Children's perspectives on school gardening

Including children in the planning and evaluation of school gardening and other health promotion programs may improve their effectiveness

Nury, E., Sarti, A., Dijkstra, C., Seidell, J., Dedding, C., (2017). Sowing seeds for healthier diets: Children's perspectives on school gardening. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14

Stories for living on a damaged planet: Environmental education in a preschool classroom

Children’s encounters with dead and dying bees foster more complex and deeper relationships with more-than-human others

Nxumalo, F., (2017). Stories for living on a damaged planet: Environmental education in a preschool classroom. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 16(2), 148-159.

Impact of school gardens in Nepal: A cluster randomised controlled trial

School garden program in Nepal raised awareness and knowledge of and preferences for fruit and vegetables but did not result in increased consumption of fruit and vegetables

Schreinemachers, P., Bhattarai, D.R., Subedi, G.D., Acharya, T.P., Chen, H-p., Yang, R-y., Kashichhawa, N.K., Dhungana, U., Luther, G.C., Mecozzi, M., (2017). Impact of school gardens in Nepal: A cluster randomised controlled trial. Journal of Development Effectiveness, 9(3), 329-343.

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 role of outdoor education in child development in Italian nursery schools

Outdoor activities may be more effective in promoting early child development than indoor activities

Monti, F., Farné, R., Crudeli, F., Agostini, F., Minelli, M., Ceciliani, A., (2017). The role of outdoor education in child development in Italian nursery schools. Early Child Development and Care, 189(6), 867-882.

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.

Does access to green space impact the mental well-being of children: A systematic review

Access to nature can promote the mental well-being of children

McCormick, R., (2017). Does access to green space impact the mental well-being of children: A systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 37, 3-7.

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.

Nature by design: Playscape affordances support the use of executive function in preschoolers

The affordances of natural play spaces can support the development of executive function in preschool children

Carr, V., Brown, R.D., Schlembach, S., Kochanowski, L., (2017). Nature by design: Playscape affordances support the use of executive function in preschoolers. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(2), 25-46.

Landscapes for play: Effects of an intervention to promote nature-based risky play in early childhood centres

Nature-based risky play can promote young children’s development

Brussoni, M., Ishikawa, T., Brunelle, S., Herrington, S., (2017). Landscapes for play: Effects of an intervention to promote nature-based risky play in early childhood centres. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 54, 139-150.

Effects of school gardening lessons on elementary school children's physical activity and sedentary time

Garden-based lessons may increase students’ physical activity and decrease their sedentary time without interrupting learning time

Rees-Punia, E., Holloway, A., Knauft, D., Schmidt, M.D., (2017). Effects of school gardening lessons on elementary school children's physical activity and sedentary time. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 14(12), 959-964.

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

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

'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.

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.

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

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)