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.

Direct experience with nature and the development of biological knowledge

Informal, direct exposure to nature fosters the development of biological knowledge in children

Longbottom, S.E., Slaughter, V., (2016). Direct experience with nature and the development of biological knowledge. Early Education and Development

The meaning of seasonal changes, nature, and animals for adolescent girls’ wellbeing in northern Finland: A qualitative descriptive study

Being in nature and interacting with animals support adolescent girls’ health and wellbeing

Wiens, V., Kyngas, H., Polkki, T., (2016). The meaning of seasonal changes, nature, and animals for adolescent girls’ wellbeing in northern Finland: A qualitative descriptive study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 11

Adding natural areas to social indicators of intra-urban health inequalities among children: A case study from Berlin, Germany

Researchers suggest recognizing natural areas as a social indicator of intra-urban health inequalities among children

Kabisch, N., Haase, D, van den Bosch, M.A., (2016). Adding natural areas to social indicators of intra-urban health inequalities among children: A case study from Berlin, Germany. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(8)

Enabling play friendly places

Creating “play friendly places” can be an effective way to counteract some of the deterrents to active outdoor play

Donovan, J., (2016). Enabling play friendly places. Environment Design Guide, 87

Environmental identity formation in nonformal environmental education programs

Nonformal environmental education programs support development of environmental identity

Williams, C.C., Chawla, L., (2016). Environmental identity formation in nonformal environmental education programs. Environmental Education Research, 22(7), 978-1001.

Forest gardens – New opportunities for urban children to understand and develop relationships with other organisms

Forest gardens have the potential to connect children emotionally and cognitively to other organisms

Askerlund, P., Almers, E., (2016). Forest gardens – New opportunities for urban children to understand and develop relationships with other organisms. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

What are the characteristics of nature preschools in Norway, and how do they organize their daily activities?

Nature preschools in Norway spend a large amount of time in nature and allow the children a significant amount of freedom and trust

Lysklett, O.B., Berger, H.W., (2016). What are the characteristics of nature preschools in Norway, and how do they organize their daily activities?. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

Young people’s cognitive achievement as fostered by hands-on-centred environmental education

Direct experiences with nature and hands-on follow-up activities can foster students’ cognitive achievement

Dieser, O., Bogner, F.X., (2016). Young people’s cognitive achievement as fostered by hands-on-centred environmental education. Environmental Education Research, 22(7), 943-957.

Environmental education excursions and proximity to urban green space – Densification in a ‘compact city’

Green spaces in close proximity to schools stimulate environmental education fieldwork

Wolsink, M., (2016). Environmental education excursions and proximity to urban green space – Densification in a ‘compact city’. Environmental Education Research, 22(7), 1049-1071.

A 5-year longitudinal analysis of modifiable predictors for outdoor play and screen-time of 2- to 5-year-olds

Early parenting practices and mothers' physical activity level and screen time use predict level of of outdoor play and screen-time in 2- to 5-year-olds

Xu, H., Wen, L.M., Hardy, L.L., Rissel, C., (2016). A 5-year longitudinal analysis of modifiable predictors for outdoor play and screen-time of 2- to 5-year-olds. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 13(96)

Integrated animal-assisted and plant-assisted ecotherapy for preschool children with speech disturbances: A program for the Arctic

A program integrating animal- and plant- assisted therapy has multiple benefits for young children with speech problems

Kalashnikova, I.V., Oksana, B.G., Zhirov, V.K., Kalashnikov, A.O., (2016). Integrated animal-assisted and plant-assisted ecotherapy for preschool children with speech disturbances: A program for the Arctic. Ecopsychology, 8(2), 79-88.

Innate immunity and asthma risk in Amish and Hutterite farm children

Exposure to an environment rich in microorganisms can protect against asthma

Stein, M.M., Hrusch, C.L., Gozdz, J., Igartua, C., Pivniouk, V., Murray, S.E., Ledford, J.G., Marques dos Santos, M., Anderson, R.L., Metwali, N., Neilson, J.W., Maier, R.M., Gilbert, J.A., Holbreich, M., Thorne, P.S., (2016). Innate immunity and asthma risk in Amish and Hutterite farm children. New England Journal of Medicine, 375(5), 411-421.

Young students’ aesthetic experiences and meaning-making processes in an outdoor environmental school practice

Aesthetic experiences play a vital role in meaning-making processes in outdoor learning

Manni, A., Ottander, C., Sporre, K., (2016). Young students’ aesthetic experiences and meaning-making processes in an outdoor environmental school practice. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

A relational model of perceived restorativeness: Intertwined effects of obligations, familiarity, security and parental supervision

Children's agricultural work constrains perceived restoration, but the effect is mediated by familiarity, security and social context

Collado, S., Staats, H., Sorrel, J.A., (2016). A relational model of perceived restorativeness: Intertwined effects of obligations, familiarity, security and parental supervision. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 48, 24-32.

“We actually care and we want to make the parks better”: A qualitative study of youth experiences and perceptions after conducting park audits

Youth may be valuable contributors to community planning efforts

Gallerani, D.G., Besenyi, G.M., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Kaczynski, A.T., (2016). “We actually care and we want to make the parks better”: A qualitative study of youth experiences and perceptions after conducting park audits. Preventive Medicine

Using the Public Open Space Attributable Index tool to assess children’s public open space use and access by independent mobility

Children’s independent travel to public open space differs by ethnicity

Chaudhury, M., Oliver, M., Badland, H., Garrett, N., Witten, K., (2016). Using the Public Open Space Attributable Index tool to assess children’s public open space use and access by independent mobility. Children's Geographies

Park characteristics influences to physical activity among overweight adolescents

Physical and social factors influence overweight adolescents’ physical activity and neighborhood park usage

Danis, A., Sidek, S., Yusof, S.M., (2016). Park characteristics influences to physical activity among overweight adolescents. Asian Journal of Quality of Life, 1(2), 25-34.

Family learning outdoors: Guided participation on a nature walk

Study suggests adopting an expanded view of what counts as an informal science learning institution

Zimmerman, H.T., McClain, L.R., (2016). Family learning outdoors: Guided participation on a nature walk. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 53(6), 919-942.

Places where preschoolers are (in)active: An observational study on Latino preschoolers and their parents using objective measures

The interaction of built and social environmental factors shapes the physical activity levels of Latino preschool children

Cerin, E., Baranowski, T., Barnett, A., Butte, N., Hughes, S., Lee, R.E., Mendoza, J.A., Thompson, D., O’Connor, T.M., (2016). Places where preschoolers are (in)active: An observational study on Latino preschoolers and their parents using objective measures. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 13(29), 1-12.

Exploring children’s seasonal play to promote active lifestyles in Auckland, New Zealand

Locational, seasonal, and family norms shape children's outdoor play practices

Ergler, C.R., Kearns, R., Witten, K., (2016). Exploring children’s seasonal play to promote active lifestyles in Auckland, New Zealand. Health & Place, 41, 67-77.

Infant and toddler responses to a redesign of their childcare outdoor play space

The greening of an outdoor playspace led to an increase in the variety and level of infants’ and toddlers’ movement and physical activity

Morrissey, A-M, Scott, C., Wishart, L., (2015). Infant and toddler responses to a redesign of their childcare outdoor play space. Children, Youth & Environments, 25(1), 29-56.

Green walls for a restorative classroom environment: A controlled evaluation study

A green wall can support children’s cognitive functioning and make the classroom a more attractive place for students

van den Berg, A.E., Wesselius, J.E., Maas, J., Tanja-Dijkstra, K., (2017). Green walls for a restorative classroom environment: A controlled evaluation study. Environment and Behavior, 49(7), 791-813.

Physical activity perceptions, context, barriers, and facilitators from a Hispanic child’s perspective

‘‘Fun’’ identified by Hispanic immigrant children as primary driver of physical activity

Taverno Ross, S.E., Francis, L.A., (2016). Physical activity perceptions, context, barriers, and facilitators from a Hispanic child’s perspective. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 11

Youth Master Plans as potential roadmaps to creating child- and youth-friendly cities

Attention to the physical environment – including opportunities for nature-related experiences – found to be generally lacking in Youth Master Plans across the country

Cushing, D.F., (2016). Youth Master Plans as potential roadmaps to creating child- and youth-friendly cities. Planning Practice & Research, 31(2), 154-173.

An exploration of the relationships between adults' childhood and current nature exposure and their mental well-being

Childhood nature exposure is related to adult mental well-being to the extent that it promotes adult nature exposure

Pensini, P., Horn, E., Caltabiano, N.J., (2016). An exploration of the relationships between adults' childhood and current nature exposure and their mental well-being. Children, Youth and Environments, 26(1), 125-147.

Bringing nature to schools to promote children’s physical activity

Physical activity in schools will be enhanced when children have more opportunities for engaging with nature-related features

Sharma-Brymer, V., Bland, D., (2016). Bringing nature to schools to promote children’s physical activity. Sports Medicine, 46, 955-962.

Horsing around: Using equine facilitated learning to support the development of social-emotional competence of students at risk of school failure

Equine facilitated learning can promote the social-emotional learning of at risk students and enhance their engagement with school

Saggers, B., Strachan, J., (2016). Horsing around: Using equine facilitated learning to support the development of social-emotional competence of students at risk of school failure. Child & Youth Services, 37(3), 231-252.

Social justice, place, and equitable science education: Broadening urban students’ opportunities to learn

Equitable science instruction increases minority students’ science knowledge and interest

Leonard, J., Chamberlin, S.A., Johnson, J.B., Verma, G., (2016). Social justice, place, and equitable science education: Broadening urban students’ opportunities to learn. Urban Review, 48, 355-379.

The impacts of outdoor learning activities on children's self development

Study from Indonesia indicates that outdoor learning has a positive impact on young children’s development

Sari, A.N.I., (2016). The impacts of outdoor learning activities on children's self development. ELT Perspective, 4(1), 1-8.

Weather worlding: Learning with the elements in early childhood

Learning in and with the weather rather than about the weather is proposed as a new approach in early childhood environmental education

Rooney, T., (2018). Weather worlding: Learning with the elements in early childhood. Environmental Education Research, 24(1), 1-12.

Neighborhood context and youth physical activity: Differential associations by gender and age

Modifiable neighborhood elements are shown to have differing influences on children’s physical activity by age and gender

Kowaleski-Jones, L., Fan, J.X., Wen, M., Hanson, H., (2017). Neighborhood context and youth physical activity: Differential associations by gender and age. American Journal of Health Promotion, 31(5), 426-434.

Going, doing, gardening: School gardens in the underrepresented communities of LakeWorth, Palm Springs, and Greenacres, Florida

Garden programs positively influenced students’ and teachers’ lives in an impoverished community

Wagenfeld, A., Whitfield, E., (2015). Going, doing, gardening: School gardens in the underrepresented communities of LakeWorth, Palm Springs, and Greenacres, Florida. Children, Youth and Environments, 25(1), 119-131.

Mapping the racial inequality in place: Using youth perceptions to identify unequal exposure to neighborhood environmental hazards

Urban African American youth cite factors in their immediate physical environment rather than pollution and exposure to toxins as threats to their health and well-being

Teixeira, S., Zuberi, A., (2016). Mapping the racial inequality in place: Using youth perceptions to identify unequal exposure to neighborhood environmental hazards. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

A retrospective study of social relations in a Danish primary school class taught in ‘udeskole’

Students in an outdoor class show improved social relations both at the time of participation and over a longer period of time

Hartmeyer, R., Mygind, E., (2016). A retrospective study of social relations in a Danish primary school class taught in ‘udeskole’. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 16(1), 78-89.

'Everything has to die one day:' Children’s explorations of the meanings of death in human-animal-nature relationships

Children’s views about companion animal death provide insight into their developing ecological identity

Russell, J., (2017). 'Everything has to die one day:' Children’s explorations of the meanings of death in human-animal-nature relationships. Environmental Education Research, 23(1), 75-90.

Extinction of experience: The loss of human–nature interactions

Research summary highlights the importance of reconnecting people with nature

Soga, M., Gaston, K.J., (2016). Extinction of experience: The loss of human–nature interactions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 14(2), 94–101.

What is the relationship between risky outdoor play and health in children? A systematic review

Environments supporting risky outdoor play promote children's health, behavior and development

Brussoni, M., Gibbons, R., Gray, C., Ishikawa, T., Sandseter, E.B.H., Bienenstock, A., Chabot, G., Fuselli, P., Herrington, S., Janssen, I., Pickett, W., Power, M., Stanger, N., Sampson, M., Tremblay. M.S., (2015). What is the relationship between risky outdoor play and health in children? A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(6), 6423-6454.

How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway

Enhanced immune functioning is identified as a possible central pathway linking contact with nature and human health

Kuo, M., (2015). How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway. Frontiers in Psychology, 6

Norwegian allotment gardens — A study of motives and benefits

Urban allotment gardens are highly valued as safe outdoor places for children, as places to cultivate, and for providing access to nature

Nordh, H., Wiklund, K.T., Koppang, K.E., (2016). Norwegian allotment gardens — A study of motives and benefits. Landscape Research, 41(8), 853-868.

The Youth Leading Environmental Change project: A mixed-method longitudinal study across six countries

An environmental justice framework can be an effective way to create motivation for action and help youth better understand the complexity of global climate change and sustainability

Riemer, M., Voorhees, C., Dittmer, L., Alisat, S., Alam, N., Sayal, R., Bidisha, S.H., De Souza, A., Lynes, J., Metternich, A., Mugagga, F., Schweizer-Ries, P., (2016). The Youth Leading Environmental Change project: A mixed-method longitudinal study across six countries. Ecopsychology, 8(3), 174-187..

Initial investigation of nature-based, child-centered play therapy: A single-case design

Children participating in a nature-based play therapy program demonstrated an increase in on-task behaviors and a decrease in behavior problems

Swank, J.C., Shin, S.M., Cabrita, C., Cheung, C., Rivers, B., (2015). Initial investigation of nature-based, child-centered play therapy: A single-case design. Journal of Counseling & Development, 93(4), 440-450.

A review of the health benefits of greenness

Neighborhood greenness is recognized as a promising modifiable factor in promoting health

James, P., Banay, R.F., Hart, J.E., Laden, F., (2015). A review of the health benefits of greenness. Current Epidemiology Reports, 2(2), 131-142.

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)

Seeing is believing? Insights from young children in nature

Children’s encounters with nature provoke aesthetic versus scientific interpretations

White, E.J., (2015). Seeing is believing? Insights from young children in nature. International Journal of Early Childhood, 47(1), 171-188.

Where do the children play?: An investigation of the intersection of nature, early childhood education and play

Interest in nature’s role in early childhood is gaining momentum after an uneven past

Brown, J.M., Kaye, C., (2017). Where do the children play?: An investigation of the intersection of nature, early childhood education and play. Early Child Development and Care, 187(5-6), 1028-1041.

Design and evaluation of a park prescription program for stress reduction and health promotion in low-income families: The Stay Healthy in Nature Everyday (SHINE) study protocol

Study protocol developed for the design and evaluation of a park prescription program

Razani, N., Kohn, M.A., Wells, N.M., Thompson, D., Flores, H.H., Rutherford, G.W., (2016). Design and evaluation of a park prescription program for stress reduction and health promotion in low-income families: The Stay Healthy in Nature Everyday (SHINE) study protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 51, 8-14.

Let's go outside! Environmental restoration amongst adolescents and the impact of friends and phones

Being with a friend in a natural setting enhances the restorative experience of teenagers

Greenwood, A., Gatersleben, B., (2016). Let's go outside! Environmental restoration amongst adolescents and the impact of friends and phones. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 48, 131-139.

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.

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.