Critical caring for people and place

A teacher’s authentic caring played a critical role in how students related to their environmental learning experiences.

Schindel, A., Tolbert, S., (2017). Critical caring for people and place. The Journal of Environmental Education, 48(1), 26-34.

Green urban landscapes and school-level academic performance

Higher levels of tree canopy are linked to higher school-level reading test scores

Hodson, C.B., Sander, H.A., (2017). Green urban landscapes and school-level academic performance. Landscape and Urban Planning, 160, 16-27.

Environmental action and student environmental leaders: Exploring the influence of environmental attitudes, locus of control, and sense of personal responsibility

Predictors of pro-environmental behavior in adults overlap with, but aren’t the same, as predictors of environmental action in youth

Ernst, J., Blood, N., Beery, T., (2017). Environmental action and student environmental leaders: Exploring the influence of environmental attitudes, locus of control, and sense of personal responsibility. Environmental Education Research, 23(2), 149-175.

The green bean has to be longer than your thumb: An observational study of preschoolers’ math and science experiences in a garden

Gardening with young children supports mathematical and scientific thinking, ecological awareness, and emotional connections to nature

Vandermaas - Peeler, M., McClain, C., (2015). The green bean has to be longer than your thumb: An observational study of preschoolers’ math and science experiences in a garden. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 3(1)

Young children’s ideas about environment: Perspectives from three early childhood educational settings

Study finds environmental sustainability education effective with young children

Madden, L., Liang, J., (2017). Young children’s ideas about environment: Perspectives from three early childhood educational settings. Environmental Education Research, 23(8), 1055-1071.

The impact of a therapy dog program on children’s reading skills and attitudes toward reading

Qualitative and quantitative data support the use of dog-assisted reading programs

Kirnan, J., Siminerio, S., Wong, Z., (2016). The impact of a therapy dog program on children’s reading skills and attitudes toward reading. Early Childhood Education Journal, 44, 637-651.

Can playscapes promote early childhood inquiry towards environmentally responsible behaviors? An exploratory study

Play in natural environments can strengthen a child’s ecological identity and lead to environmentally responsible behaviors

Wight, R.A., Kloos, H., Maltbiec, C.V., Carr, V.W., (2016). Can playscapes promote early childhood inquiry towards environmentally responsible behaviors? An exploratory study. Environmental Education Research, 22(4)

Parents’ perceptions of preschool activities: Exploring outdoor play

Parents consider outdoor play an important part of their child’s time at child care

Jayasuriya, A., Williams, M., Edwards, T., Tandon, P., (2016). Parents’ perceptions of preschool activities: Exploring outdoor play. Early Education and Development, 27(7), 1004-1017.

Learning about real animals from anthropomorphic media

Anthropomorphic language and pictures in storybooks did not interfere with factual learning about real animals

Geerdts, M.S., Van de Walle, G.A., LoBue, V., (2016). Learning about real animals from anthropomorphic media. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 36(1), 5-26.

The relationship between parental attitudes toward nature and the amount of time children spend in outdoor recreation

Parental attitudes towards nature influence children's time spent playing in nature

McFarland, A. L., Zajicek, J. M., Wallczek, T. M., (2014). The relationship between parental attitudes toward nature and the amount of time children spend in outdoor recreation. Journal of Leisure Research, 46(5), 525-539.

Literacy and arts-integrated science lessons engage urban elementary students in exploring environmental issues

An integrated environmental protection unit helps students become more aware of environmental issues and solutions youth can implement.

Gray, P., Elser, C.F., Klein, J.L., Rule, A.C., (2016). Literacy and arts-integrated science lessons engage urban elementary students in exploring environmental issues. Science Education International, 27(1), 151-175.

Are we working to save the species our children want to protect? Evaluating species attribute preferences among children

Children want to protect species important in nature and those whose numbers are declining.

Frew, K., Peterson, M.N., Stevenson, K., (2016). Are we working to save the species our children want to protect? Evaluating species attribute preferences among children. Oryx, 1-9.

Long-term outcomes of an urban farming internship program

Urban farming internship program offers long-term benefits for youth.

Sonti, N.F., Campbell, L.K., Johnson, M.L, Daftary-Steel, S., (2016). Long-term outcomes of an urban farming internship program. Journal of Experiential Education, 1-19.

Access and equity in greenspace provision: A comparison of methods to assess the impacts of greening vacant land

Inequity in greenspace provision is best measured through considering proximity to a minimum amount of greenspace

Heckert, M., (2013). Access and equity in greenspace provision: A comparison of methods to assess the impacts of greening vacant land. Transactions in GIS, 17(6), 808-827.

Economic inequality, poverty, and park and recreation delivery

Best practices should be developed and implemented to facilitate participation of low-income Americans in outdoor recreation

Scott, D., (2013). Economic inequality, poverty, and park and recreation delivery. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 31(4), 1-11.

Neighborhood safety and green space as predictors of obesity among preschool children from low-income families in New York City

Increased density of residential trees is associated with lower prevalence of obesity in preschoolers

Lovasi, G. S., Schwartz-Soicher, O., Quinn, J. W., Berger, D. K., Neckerman, K. M., Jaslow, R., Lee, K. K., Rundle, A., (2013). Neighborhood safety and green space as predictors of obesity among preschool children from low-income families in New York City. Preventive Medicine, 57, 189-193.

Green spaces and pregnancy outcomes in southern California

Living in greener areas may lead to improved birth outcomes

Laurent, O., Wu, J., Li, L., Milesi, C., (2013). Green spaces and pregnancy outcomes in southern California. Health & Place, 24, 190-195.

A study of community design, greenness, and physical activity in children using satellite, GPS and accelerometor data

Momentary greenness is associated with likelihood of children engaging in contemporaneous moderate physical activity, particularly in “smart growth” communities

Almanza, E., Jerrett, M., Dunton, G., Seto, E., Ann Pentz, M., (2012). A study of community design, greenness, and physical activity in children using satellite, GPS and accelerometor data. Health & Place, 18(1), 46-54.

The benefits of nature experience: Improved affect and cognition

A walk in a natural area produced both affective and cognitive benefits

Bratman, G.N., Daily, G.C., Levy, B.J., Gross, J.J., (2015). The benefits of nature experience: Improved affect and cognition. Landscape and Urban Planning, 138, 41-50.

Effects of the FITKids randomized controlled trial on executive control and brain function

Daily physical activity improves brain function in children

Hillman, C.H., Pontifex, M.B., Castelli, D.M., Khan, N.A., Raine, L.B., Scudder, M.R., Drollette, E.S., Moore, R.D., Wu, C.T., Kamijo, K., (2014). Effects of the FITKids randomized controlled trial on executive control and brain function. Pediatrics, 134(4), 1063-1071.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Linking student performance in Massachusetts elementary schools with the "greenness" of school surroundings using remote sensing

Exposure to greenness surrounding schools benefits student academic achievement in both Math and English

Wu, C-D., McNeely, E., Cedeño-Laurent, J. G., Pan, W-C., Adamkiewicz, G., Dominici, F., Candice Lung, S-C., Su, H-J., Spengler, J. D., (2014). Linking student performance in Massachusetts elementary schools with the "greenness" of school surroundings using remote sensing. PLOS ONE, 9(10)

Social justice in outdoor experiential education: A state of knowledge review

Outdoor experiential education is challenged to address issues of social justice

Warren, K., Roberts, N., Breunig, M., Alvarez, M. A. G., (2014). Social justice in outdoor experiential education: A state of knowledge review. Journal of Experiential Education, 37(1), 89-103.

Influence of schoolyard renovations on children's physical activity: The Learning Landscapes program

Adding green elements to a schoolyard prompts more physical activity

Brink, L.A., Nigg, C.R., Lampe, S.M.R., Kingston, B.A., Mootz, A.L., van Vliet, W., (2010). Influence of schoolyard renovations on children's physical activity: The Learning Landscapes program. American Journal of Public Health, 100(9), 1672-1678.

Where are youth active? Roles of proximity, active transport, and built environment

Being able to bike/walk to community recreation sites is an important determinant of how frequently they are used

Grow, H. M., Saelens, B. E., Kerr, J., Durant, N. H., Norman, G. J., Sallis, J. F., (2008). Where are youth active? Roles of proximity, active transport, and built environment. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(12), 2071-2079.

Five days at outdoor education camp without screens improves preteen skills with nonverbal emotion cues

Screen-time significantly impacts adolescents' ability to assess face-to-face nonverbal social and emotional cues

Uhls, Y. T., Michikyan, M., Morris, J., Garcia, D., Small, G. W., Zgourou, E., Greenfield, P. M., (2014). Five days at outdoor education camp without screens improves preteen skills with nonverbal emotion cues. Computers in Human Behavior, 39, 387-392.

Young people’s outdoor recreation and state park use: Perceived benefits from the parent/guardian perspective

Outdoor recreation is perceived as beneficial to children's mental and social development

Larson, L. R., Whiting, J. W., Green, G. T., (2013). Young people’s outdoor recreation and state park use: Perceived benefits from the parent/guardian perspective. Children, Youth and Environments, 23(3), 89-117.

Environmental, institutional, and demographic predictors of environmental literacy among middle school children

Quality environmental educational programming, time outdoors, and teacher training predict environmental literacy

Stevenson, K. T., Peterson, M. N., Bondell, H. D., Mertig, A. G., Moore, S. E., (2013). Environmental, institutional, and demographic predictors of environmental literacy among middle school children. PLOS One, 8(3), e59519.

Intergenerational learning at a nature center: Families using prior experiences and participation frameworks to understand raptors

Informal learning enhances intergenerational nature-based experiences

Zimmerman, H. T., McClain, L. R., (2014). Intergenerational learning at a nature center: Families using prior experiences and participation frameworks to understand raptors. Environmental Education Research, 20(2), 177-201.

The effects of school gardens on children’s science knowledge: A randomized controlled trial of low-income elementary schools

A school garden intervention – consisting of both garden-related lessons and gardening activities – had a positive effect on children’s knowledge of plant science and nutritional science

Wells, N.M., Myers, B.M., Todd, L.E., Barale, K., Gaolach, B., Ferenz, G., Aitken, M., Henderson, C.R., Tse, C., Pattison, K.O., Taylor, C., Connerly, L., Carson, J.B., Gensemer, A.Z., Franz, N.K., (2015). The effects of school gardens on children’s science knowledge: A randomized controlled trial of low-income elementary schools. International Journal of Science Education, 37(17), 2858-2878.

Rural, low-income mothers’ use of family-based nature activities to promote family health

Rural, low-income mothers identify access to free nature-based recreational opportunities as a major contributor to the health of individual family members and healthy family functioning

Izenstark, D, Oswald, R.F., Holman, E.G., Mendez, S.N., Greder, K.A., (2016). Rural, low-income mothers’ use of family-based nature activities to promote family health. Journal of Leisure Research, 48(12), 134-155.