How childhood nature experience shapes teaching practices
This Natural England joint publication (JP057) was published December 2024. This research explored whether teachers’ childhood nature experiences affect their teaching and their pupils’ nature access. Primary school teachers in Southern England participated in an online survey about their’s and their pupils’ nature access and their nature connection. Of the [...]
The emotions and activities central to nature connectedness experiences
Read this Finding Nature blog post (27 November 2024) which shares the research on this topic. This has captured interrelations by treating nature connectedness experiences as a network using principles adapted from social network analysis. Some key take aways: The key role of emotions in the human–nature relationship, but they [...]
Rebuilding human-nature connections in children and adolescents – research
This meta-analysis of 29 studies (EY Choe and D Sheffield published online in Environmental Education Research 17 September 2024) explored the impact of experimental manipulations on nature connection in young people (<18 years old). The results showed such interventions had a significant positive effect on nature connections in children and adolescents. [...]
Green spaces and children’s health outcomes
Researchers have analysed green spaces on multiple outcomes in more than 35,000 children from 8 countries. Living in greener areas during childhood was associated with better lung function. Residential surrounding green spaces in childhood, not pregnancy, was associated with improved lung function, with a stronger association observed in females. This [...]
Nature and me booklet
The Nature and Me booklet (National Trust/ University of Derby) shares 5 ways to strengthen the relationship between people and nature. It summarises nature connection research findings and introduces a practical framework to inform the design of experiences in nature. Examples from National Trust places show this framework at work.
Nature Connectedness Research Group
Nature connectedness captures that relationship between people and the rest of nature. Nature connectedness is a measurable psychological construct that moves beyond contact with nature to an individual’s sense of their relationship with the natural world. The Nature Connectedness Research Group aims to bring about associated benefits in wellbeing and [...]
Primary school pupils embrace environmental stewardship
The Green Team share an update on their work with Frogstone Primary School via a Cornell University PhD student’s research into Environmental Stewardship in young children.
An evidence-based approach to supporting children in the preschool years
This Child of the North report (Powell, Lauren; Spencer, Sarah; Clegg, Judy (eds)) published 2024 is available on the internet. The report looks at UK pre-school education support for children. It applies seven principles: putting children first; addressing inequity; adopting place-based approaches; working together effectively across public services; putting education [...]
