Preschool educators' interactions with children about sustainable development: Planned and incidental conversations

Giving children a voice can empower them to act as agents of change for a more sustainable future

Bautista, A., Moreno-Nunez, A., Ng, S-C., Bull, R., (2018). Preschool educators' interactions with children about sustainable development: Planned and incidental conversations. International Journal of Early Childhood, 50, 15-32.

Beyond the school grounds: Links between density of tree cover in school surroundings and high school academic performance

Greater density of tree canopy beyond the school grounds predicts higher academic performance of high school students

Li, D., Chiang, Y-C., Sang, H., Sullivan, W.C., (2019). Beyond the school grounds: Links between density of tree cover in school surroundings and high school academic performance. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 38, 42-53.

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.

How is environmental greenness related to students' academic performance in English and mathematics?

Greening initiatives on and around school grounds may improve the academic performance of students across grade levels, genders, and differing socioeconomic backgrounds

Leung, WT.V., Tam, TY.T., Pan, W-C., Wu, C-D., Lung, S-C.C., Spengler, J.D., (2019). How is environmental greenness related to students' academic performance in English and mathematics?. Landscape and Urban Planning, 181, 118-124.

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

Developing a nature-based four-year-old kindergarten program: OAK Learning Center at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay, WI (USA)

Developers of a nature-based public preschool describe its development and perceptions of success in academic, physical, social and emotional development and connectedness to nature realms

Ashmann, S., (2018). Developing a nature-based four-year-old kindergarten program: OAK Learning Center at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay, WI (USA). International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 6(1), 35-43.

Early childhood educators' perceptions of play and inquiry on a nature playspace

Early childhood educators describe a nature playscape as an environment that supports the holistic development of children

Schlembach, S., Kochanowski, L., Brown, R.D., Carr, V., (2018). Early childhood educators' perceptions of play and inquiry on a nature playspace. Children, Youth and Environments, 28(2), 82-101.

Growing a nature kindergarten that can flourish

Guiding principles for developing a nature kindergarten focused on place-based learning, environmental stewardship, Indigenous ways of knowing, and an emergent curriculum

Elliot, E., Krusekopf, F., (2018). Growing a nature kindergarten that can flourish. Australian Journal of Environmental Education

The relationship between the natural environment and individual-level academic performance in Portland, Oregon

Greening efforts aimed at improving academic performance would do well to focus on both school and home environments

Donovan, G.H., Michael, Y.L., Gatziolis, D., Hoyer, R.W., (2020). The relationship between the natural environment and individual-level academic performance in Portland, Oregon. Environment and Behavior

Growing democratic citizenship competencies: Fostering social studies understandings through inquiry learning in the preschool garden

Garden-based inquiry learning can foster the development of democratic competencies in preschool children

Casey, E.M., DiCarlo, C.F., Sheldon, K.L., (2019). Growing democratic citizenship competencies: Fostering social studies understandings through inquiry learning in the preschool garden. The Journal of Social Studies Research

Preschool children's knowledge about the environmental impact of various modes of transport

Swedish preschool children are aware of the environmental impact of different modes of transportation

Borg, F., Winberg, T.M., Vinterek, M., (2019). Preschool children's knowledge about the environmental impact of various modes of transport. Early Child Development and Care, 189(3), 376-391.

School green space and its impact on academic performance: A systematic literature review

Systematic review finding mixed results and studies of moderate quality recommends further research on the benefit of school green space for academic achievement

Browning, M.H.E.M., Rigolon, A., (2019). School green space and its impact on academic performance: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16

Might school performance grow on trees? Examining the link between "greenness" and academic achievement in urban, high-poverty schools

Greening may mitigate academic underachievement in high-poverty urban schools

Kuo, M., Browning, M.H.E.M., Sachdeva, S., Lee, K., Westphal, L., (2018). Might school performance grow on trees? Examining the link between "greenness" and academic achievement in urban, high-poverty schools. Frontiers in Psychology, 9

Do experiences with nature promote learning? Converging evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship

Converging evidence from diverse fields offers causal support for nature’s impact on learning, development and environmental stewardship

Kuo, M., Barnes, M., Jordan, C., (2019). Do experiences with nature promote learning? Converging evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship. Frontiers in Psychology, 10

Residential and school greenspace and academic performance: Evidence from the GINIplus and LISA longitudinal studies of German adolescents

Researchers call for more investigations into possible links between greenspace and academic performance

Markevych, I., Feng, X., Astell-Burt, T., Standl, M., Sugiri, D., Schikowski, T., Koletzko, S., Herberth, G., Bauer, C-P., von Berg, A., Berdel, D., Heinrich, J., (2019). Residential and school greenspace and academic performance: Evidence from the GINIplus and LISA longitudinal studies of German adolescents. Environmental Pollution, 245, 71-76.

Are California elementary test scores more strongly associated with urban trees than poverty?

Poverty and minority status are linked with lower academic test scores; urban trees and shrubs with higher scores

Tallis, H., Bratman, G.N., Samhour,i J.F., Fargione, J., (2018). Are California elementary test scores more strongly associated with urban trees than poverty?. Frontiers in Psychology, 9

The Environmental Commons in Urban Communities: The potential of place-based education

Place-based stewardship education in urban communities promotes knowledge, skills, and motivation needed for sustaining common-pool resources

Flanagan, C., Gallay, E., Pykett, A., Smallwood, M., (2019). The Environmental Commons in Urban Communities: The potential of place-based education. Frontiers in Psychology, 10

'Mud in my ears and jam in my beard': Challenging gendered ways of being in nature kindergarten practitioners

Natural surroundings may promote teacher behaviors that are less binary than traditional male/female roles

Nugent, C., MacQuarrie, S., Beames, S., (2019). 'Mud in my ears and jam in my beard': Challenging gendered ways of being in nature kindergarten practitioners. International Journal of Early Years Education, 27(2), 143-152.

Association of Education Outside the Classroom and pupils' psychosocial well-being: Results from a school year implementation

Outdoor learning may be more beneficial when concentrated in fewer, longer sessions rather than shorter sessions

Bølling, M., Niclasen, J., Bentsen P., Nielsen, G., (2019). Association of Education Outside the Classroom and pupils' psychosocial well-being: Results from a school year implementation. Journal of School Health, 89, 210-218.

Motor competence and physical fitness among children attending nature preschools and traditional preschools

Natural environments may offer different affordances for physically active play than traditional playgrounds

Lysklett, O.B., Berg, A., Moe, B., (2019). Motor competence and physical fitness among children attending nature preschools and traditional preschools. International Journal of Play

A coordinated research agenda for nature-based learning

A diverse team of stakeholders presents a framework for research to advance the understanding and implementation of nature-based learning

Jordan, C., Chawla, L., (2019). A coordinated research agenda for nature-based learning. Frontiers in Psychology, 10

A narrative and systematic review of the behavioural, cognitive and emotional effects of passive nature exposure on young people: Evidence for prescribing change

Children can experience the health and well-being benefits of nature through both active nature engagement and passive nature exposure.

Norwood, M.F., Lakhani, A., Fullagar, S., Maujean, A., Downes, M., Byrne, J., Stewart, A., Barber, B., Kendall, E., (2019). A narrative and systematic review of the behavioural, cognitive and emotional effects of passive nature exposure on young people: Evidence for prescribing change. Landscape and Urban Planning, 189, 71-79.

Effects of childhood setting and interaction with nature on academic performance in introductory college-level course in the environmental sciences

Growing up in rural settings and having prior interactions with nature is associated with better academic performance in college environmental science courses

Spero, M.A., Balster, N.J., Bajcz, A.W., (2019). Effects of childhood setting and interaction with nature on academic performance in introductory college-level course in the environmental sciences. Environmental Education Research, 25(3), 422-442.

Mental, physical and social health benefits of immersive nature-experiences for children and adolescents: A systematic review and quality assessment of the evidence

Immersive nature-experiences are linked to positive changes in children's mental, physical, and social health

Mygind, L., Kjeldsted, E., Hartmeyer, R., Mygind, E., Bølling, M., Bents, P., (2019). Mental, physical and social health benefits of immersive nature-experiences for children and adolescents: A systematic review and quality assessment of the evidence. Health & Place, 58

Nature-based interventions for improving health and wellbeing: The purpose, the people and the outcomes

Nature–based health interventions take a variety of forms, are designed around a range of health and well-being goals, and target different groups of people

Shanahan, D.F., Astell–Burt, T., Barber, E.A., Brymer, E., Cox, D.T.C., Dean, J., Depledge, M., Fuller, R.A., Hartig, T., Irvine, K.N., Jones, A., Kikillus, H., Lovell, R., Mitchell, R., Niemela, J., (2019). Nature-based interventions for improving health and wellbeing: The purpose, the people and the outcomes. Sports, 7(6)

Teacher and student perceptions of an outdoor classroom

Students with and without special needs and their teachers share positive perceptions of learning in an outdoor classroom

Guardino, C., Hall, K.W., Largo-Wight, E., Hubbuch, C., (2019). Teacher and student perceptions of an outdoor classroom. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 22(2), 113-126.

Relationships between vegetation in student environments and academic achievement across the continental U.S.

Designing urban vegetation to effectively support academic performance requires an understanding of the social and environmental context of the community

Hodson, C.B., Sander, H.A., (2019). Relationships between vegetation in student environments and academic achievement across the continental U.S.. Landscape and Urban Planning, 189, 212-224.

Impacts of outdoor environmental education on teacher reports of attention, behavior, and learning outcomes for students with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities

Students with special needs demonstrated longer attention spans and fewer disruptive behaviors while participating in outdoor learning activities

Szczytko, R., Carrier, S.J., Stevenson, K.T., (2018). Impacts of outdoor environmental education on teacher reports of attention, behavior, and learning outcomes for students with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities. Frontiers in Psychology, 3

Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective

An ecosystem service perspective may help decision makers anticipate the mental health impacts of decisions they make relating to the environment

Bratman, G.N., Anderson, C.B., Berman, M.C., Cochran, B., de Vries, S., Flanders, J., Folke, C., Frumkin, H., Gross, J.J., Hartig, T., Kahn, P.H., Kuo, M., Lawler, J.J., Levin, P.S., Lindahl, T., (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances, 5

Young children's contributions to sustainability: The influence of nature play on curiosity, executive function skills, creative thinking, and resilience

Nature play can contribute dispositions and skills relevant to sustainability

Ernst, J., Burcak, F., (2019). Young children's contributions to sustainability: The influence of nature play on curiosity, executive function skills, creative thinking, and resilience. Sustainability, 11(15)

Greening of daycare yards with biodiverse materials affords well-being, play and environmental relationships

Playspaces with diverse vegetation and environmental microbiota are not only safe, but also provide rich opportunities for creative play and learning

Puhakka, R., Rantala, O., Roslund, M.I., Rajaniemi, J., Laitinen, O.H., Sinkkonen, A., ADELE Research Group, (2019). Greening of daycare yards with biodiverse materials affords well-being, play and environmental relationships. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(16)

Nature-based education and kindergarten readiness: Nature-based and traditional preschoolers are equally prepared for kindergarten

Children in nature-based and traditional preschools are equally prepared for kindergarten

Cordiano, T.S., Lee, A., Wilt, J., Elszasz, A., Damour, L.K., Russ, S.W., (2019). Nature-based education and kindergarten readiness: Nature-based and traditional preschoolers are equally prepared for kindergarten. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 6(3), 18-36.

Rethinking learning? Challenging and accommodating neoliberal educational agenda in the integration of Forest School into mainstream educational settings

Learning outside the classroom can help children develop important skills for future success in the workplace

Pimlott-Wilson, H., Coates, J., (2019). Rethinking learning? Challenging and accommodating neoliberal educational agenda in the integration of Forest School into mainstream educational settings. The Geographical Journal, 185(3), 268-278.

Learning while playing: Children's Forest School experiences in the UK

The blending of Forest School with formal education can promote skills not typically addressed in a classroom-only setting

Coates, J.K., Pimlott-Wilson, H., (2019). Learning while playing: Children's Forest School experiences in the UK. British Educational Research Journal, 45(1), 21-40.

Green schools in Taiwan -- Effects on student sustainability consciousness

Green schools and non-green schools have similar effect on the sustainability consciousness of students in Taiwan

Olsson, D., Gericke, N., Boeve-dePauw, J., Berglund, T., Chang, T., (2019). Green schools in Taiwan -- Effects on student sustainability consciousness. Global Environmental Change, 54, 184-194.

Exploring human-nature relationships amongst young people: Findings of a quantitative survey between Germany and South Africa

Young people in Germany and South Africa are detached from the natural world

Gräntzdörffer, A.J., James, A., Elster, D., (2019). Exploring human-nature relationships amongst young people: Findings of a quantitative survey between Germany and South Africa. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 14(7), 417-424.

‘Winter children’: An ethnographically inspired study of children being-and-becoming well-versed in snow and ice

Play in/with snow and ice provides opportunities for children to develop knowledge and skills regarding who they are and who they can become

Sanderud, J.R., Gurholt, K.P., Moe, V.F., (2019). ‘Winter children’: An ethnographically inspired study of children being-and-becoming well-versed in snow and ice. Sport, Education and Society

We are wilderness explorers: A review of outdoor education in Canada

Outdoor education in Canada generally focuses on the country’s history, environmental knowledge, outdoor-living skills, and personal growth

Purc-Stephenson, R.J., Rawleigh, M. H., Kemp, H., Asfeldt, M., (2019). We are wilderness explorers: A review of outdoor education in Canada. Journal of Experiential Education, 42(4), 364-381.

Systematic review of education for sustainable development at an early stage: Cornerstones and pedagogical approaches for teacher professional development

Promoting agency in young children is of major importance for education for sustainable development

Bascope, M., Perasso, P., Reiss, K., (2019). Systematic review of education for sustainable development at an early stage: Cornerstones and pedagogical approaches for teacher professional development. Sustainability, 11

Utilising place-based learning through local contexts to develop agents of change in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability

Place-based learning can help young children develop a sustainability perspective

Boyd, D., (2019). Utilising place-based learning through local contexts to develop agents of change in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability. Education 3-13, 47(8), 983-997.

Human-nature relationships in context. Experiential, psychological, and contextual dimensions that shape children’s desire to protect nature

The experiential aspects of saving animals can enhance children’s appreciation and understanding of animals, nature, and nature conservation.

Giusti, M., (2019). Human-nature relationships in context. Experiential, psychological, and contextual dimensions that shape children’s desire to protect nature. PLoS ONE, 14(12)

Muddy knees and muddy needs: Parents perceptions of outdoor learning

Parents and teachers have different ideas about the value of outdoor learning

Parsons, K.J., Traunter, J., (2019). Muddy knees and muddy needs: Parents perceptions of outdoor learning. Children's Geographies

Can an outdoor learning environment improve children’s academic attainment? A quasi-experimental mixed methods study in Bangladesh

Outdoor learning can enhance the academic achievement of students in developing countries

Khan, M., McGeown, S., Bell, S., (2019). Can an outdoor learning environment improve children’s academic attainment? A quasi-experimental mixed methods study in Bangladesh. Environment and Behavior

Children’s education in ‘good’ nature: Perceptions of activities in nature spaces in mobile preschools

The "good" education in nature seems to mean different things for different children in some mobile preschools

Harju, A., Balldin, J., Ladru, D.E., Gustafson, K, (2020). Children’s education in ‘good’ nature: Perceptions of activities in nature spaces in mobile preschools. Global Studies of Childhood

The impacts of unstructured nature play on health in early childhood development: A systematic review

Nature play may positively impact children’s health and development, particularly in the areas of physical activity and cognitive development

Dankiw, K.A., Tsiros, M.D., Baldock, K.L., Kumar, S., (2020). The impacts of unstructured nature play on health in early childhood development: A systematic review. PLoS ONE, 15(2)

“And it made me feel good inside”: Initial evidence and future methods for evaluating nature school effectiveness

Different methods used to evaluate a nature education program highlight growth in cognitive, social, environmental, and physical domains

Volpe, M., Derr, V., Kim, S., (2019). “And it made me feel good inside”: Initial evidence and future methods for evaluating nature school effectiveness. Children, Youth and Environments, 29(2), 5-26.

Implementing ecopedagogy as an experiential approach to decolonizing science education

Ecopedagogies empower urban youth to critically examine issues of environmental justice in their community

Zocher, J.L., Hougham, R.J., (2020). Implementing ecopedagogy as an experiential approach to decolonizing science education. Journal of Experiential Education

Refocusing environmental education in the early years: A brief introduction to a pedagogy for connection

Early childhood environmental education should place connectedness to nature at the center and have environmental protection as its goal

Barrable, A., (2019). Refocusing environmental education in the early years: A brief introduction to a pedagogy for connection. Education Sciences, 9(1)