D Grierson and P To – International Journal of Architectural Research (in press) provide A study on children’s multi-sensorial experiences of nature: design approaches and preferences for primary school architecture, case studies in Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Providing improved access to nature within educational settings can promote stronger child-nature connections and is conditional on making evidence-based decisions for the planning, design, and refurbishment of school architecture.
The study offers insight into ways of reconnecting children with nature by examining the distribution and classification of diverse natural elements for enhancing children’s visual and non-visual experiences of educational environments.
This study’s findings reveal that architectural features and landscape settings have significant influence on the quantitative and qualitative degrees of children’s natural exploration through visual and non-visual sensorial modalities and environmental preferences.
The findings suggest that applications of natural diversity, accessible and flexible pathways and indoor natural settings, are potential approaches to connect children with nature within their study and play environments.
Find more reports from the Natural England Update, shared by the UK National Association for Environmental Education.
