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.

Direct learning about nature in 6-year-old children living in urban and rural environments and the level of their knowledge and skills

Living in and having direct contact with natural environments can help young children develop nature-related knowledge and skills

Nazaruk, S.K., Klim-Klimaszewska, A., (2017). Direct learning about nature in 6-year-old children living in urban and rural environments and the level of their knowledge and skills. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 16(4), 524-532.

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.

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.

Nature-based environmental education of children: Environmental knowledge and connectedness to nature, together, are related to ecological behaviour

While connectedness to nature and environmental knowledge, together, promote ecological behavior, connectedness to nature is the stronger motivator

Otto, S., Pensini, P., (2017). Nature-based environmental education of children: Environmental knowledge and connectedness to nature, together, are related to ecological behaviour. Global Environmental Change, 47, 88-94.

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.

Learning leadership: Becoming an outdoor leader

First-time outdoor leadership is transformational and involves two major foci: interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships

Enoksen, E., Lynch, P., (2018). Learning leadership: Becoming an outdoor leader. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 18(2), 176-188.

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.

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.

"Trees have a soul too!" Developing empathy and environmental values in early childhood

Preschool children can develop empathy for non-human beings, can feel the need to protect them, and recognize their intrinsic value

Lithoxoidou, L.S., Georgopoulos, A.D., Dimitriou, A. Th., Xenitidou, S.Ch., (2017). "Trees have a soul too!" Developing empathy and environmental values in early childhood. The International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 5(1), 68-88.

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

"We can keep the fire burning": Building action competence through environmental justice education in Uganda and Germany

Multi-national projects can be effective in building on cultural and social diversity to help young people become confident and capable environmental actors

Dittmer, L., Mugagga, F., Metternich, A., Schweizer-Ries, P., Asiimwe, G., Riemer, M., (2018). "We can keep the fire burning": Building action competence through environmental justice education in Uganda and Germany. Local Environment, 23(2), 144-157.

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

How to educate children for sustainable learning and for a sustainable world

Sustainable learning should be integrated into everyday practices with young children

Pramling Samuelsson, I., Park, E., (2017). How to educate children for sustainable learning and for a sustainable world. International Journal of Early Childhood, 49(3), 273–285.

Plant yourself where language blooms: Direct experiences of nature changes how parents and children talk about nature

Direct experience of nature provides an optimal context for children to learn the language of nature

Cameron-Faulkner, T., Macdonald, R., Serratrice, L., Melville, J., Gattis, M., (2017). Plant yourself where language blooms: Direct experiences of nature changes how parents and children talk about nature. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(2), 110-124.

'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.

Do lessons in nature boost subsequent classroom engagement: Refueling students in flight

Students were more engaged and less distracted after lessons in a natural outdoor setting compared to classroom-based lessons

Kuo, M., Browning, M.H.E.M., Penner, M.L., (2018). Do lessons in nature boost subsequent classroom engagement: Refueling students in flight. Frontiers in Psychology

Evaluation of a surfing programme designed to increase personal well-being and connectedness to the natural environment among 'at risk' young people

Blue space (water) environments may offer a promising alternative location for high-quality outdoor educational experiences

Hignett, A., White, M.P., Pahl, S., Jenkin, R., Le Froy, M., (2018). Evaluation of a surfing programme designed to increase personal well-being and connectedness to the natural environment among 'at risk' young people. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 18(1), 53-69.

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.

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

NEP (Children@School): An instrument for measuring environmental attitudes in middle childhood

The NEP (Children@School) is a tool that can be used to evaluate the efficacy of architectural design strategies for improving children’s attitudes to the natural environment

Izadpanahi, P., Tucker, R., (2018). NEP (Children@School): An instrument for measuring environmental attitudes in middle childhood. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 34(1), 61-79.

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)

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.

Wellbeing in school gardens -- The case of the Gardens for Bellies food and environmental education program

School gardens can promote well-being, including interpersonal relations and empathy for nature

Dyg, P.M., Wistoff, K., (2018). Wellbeing in school gardens -- The case of the Gardens for Bellies food and environmental education program. Environmental Education Research, 24(8), 1177-1191.

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.

Children's interest in school garden projects, environmental motivation and intention to act: A case study from a primary school of Cyprus

Attending to student psychological needs may increase effectiveness of environmental education programs in promoting pro-environmental motivation and intention

Christodoulou, A., Korfiatis, K., (2018). Children's interest in school garden projects, environmental motivation and intention to act: A case study from a primary school of Cyprus. Applied Environmental Education & Communication

Analyzing teacher narratives in early childhood garden-based education

A model focusing on learning across multiple domains and integrating self-determination theory can be used to inform the design and evaluation of early childhood garden education programs

Murakami, C.D., Su-Russell, C., Manfra, L., (2018). Analyzing teacher narratives in early childhood garden-based education. Journal of Environmental Education, 49(1), 18-29.

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.

Obstacles for school garden program success: Expert consensus to inform policy and practice

A consensus-driven process for identifying obstacles to the success of school gardens can inform policy and practice

Diaz, J.M., Warner, L.A., Webb, S., Barry, D., (2019). Obstacles for school garden program success: Expert consensus to inform policy and practice. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 18(3), 195-206.

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.

The carry-over effects of school gardens on fruit and vegetable availability at home: A randomized controlled trial with low-income elementary schools

School gardens, especially if implemented at a young age, have the potential to affect the availability of fruits and vegetables in the home environment

Wells, N.M., Meyers, B.M., Todd, L.E., Henderson, C.R., Barale, K., Gaolach, B., Ferenz, G., Aitken, M., Tse, C.C., Ostlie Pattison, K., Hendrix, L., Carson, J.B., Taylor, C., Franz, N.K., (2018). The carry-over effects of school gardens on fruit and vegetable availability at home: A randomized controlled trial with low-income elementary schools. Preventive Medicine

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)

Recognizing connection to nature: Perspectives from the field

Advancing the field of connectedness to nature requires collaboration and resource sharing of coherent, replicable, and context-sensitive measurement tools

Perrin, J.L., (2018). Recognizing connection to nature: Perspectives from the field. Environmental Education & Communication, 17(1), 3-13.

Birds in the playground: Evaluating the effectiveness of an urban environmental education project in enhancing school children's awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards local wildlife

Urban children experience gains in knowledge and attitudes towards local wildlife while participating in a bird feeding and monitoring project

White, R.L., Eberstein, K., Scott, D.M., (2018). Birds in the playground: Evaluating the effectiveness of an urban environmental education project in enhancing school children's awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards local wildlife. PLoS ONE, 13(3)

A systematic review of the health and well-being impacts of school gardening: Synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence

School gardens benefit students and adults in various ways, yet more robust evidence is needed to promote school gardening programs as public health interventions

Ohly, H., Gentry, S., Wigglesworth, R., Bethel, A., Lovell, R., Garside, R., (2016). A systematic review of the health and well-being impacts of school gardening: Synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence. BMC Public Health, 16(1)