The Role of Nature in Child & Adolescent Health

The effect of green spaces in the urban environment by researchers has found a positive relationship between people’s health and their proximity to these spaces. If living in an environment that consists of ample green spaces can greatly enhance our health as adults, than what is its significance for the developing child?

There is an emerging body of research linking contact with nature to intellectual and physical well-being in children. Such studies utilise qualitative and quantitative considerations for changes in childhood such as reduced time for outdoor play than what was experienced by previous generations, reduced mobility and range for exploration, growing fear of strangers and other issues related to an increasingly sedated lifestyle and urbanised world. Some studies highlight the lack of knowledge children have of local plants and animals which sadly, reflects a possibility that many children have little or no meaningful direct experience with local biodiversity. This disconnection children have from nature is reported throughout the world and the term popularised by the writer Richard Louv in his 2005 book 'Last Child in the Woods', names this phenomenon nature deficit disorder. In his book Louv argues that behavioural problems in children are related to the decline of time they spend outdoors.

The benefits for children who have direct experiences with nature in everyday life include improved health and physical fitness such as reduced risks of obesity and myopia, and improved recovery from certain medical conditions. There are positive mental health outcomes, such as reduced symptoms and severity of ADHD, stress and depression with a corresponding increase in confidence and self esteem. Intellectual development is found to be enhanced showing improved creativity and imagination and improved academic performance. Furthermore, time spent outdoors including activities like gardening builds environmental knowledge. Interestingly the research identifies a stronger sense of concern and care for the environment that develops into adulthood where direct interaction with nature (including pets) stimulates feelings of empathy which promote moral consideration in children, increasing their desire to have concern or protect them.

As we are turning into a techno-centric society, the current generation of children are spending less time outdoors and are becoming disengaged from nature. This is a critical issue, not only for the benefit of children’s health, but if ignored can become a barrier to future sustainable development endeavours as they may become apathetic or ignorant about environmental issues as adults. Though there remains limitations concerning the studies of nature and childhood development such as the lack of long term trends or clearly established cause and effect relationships, it is accepted that trees contribute to the environment that supports healthy development in children. Hopefully research will continue in this field to fill the gaps in knowledge about the role of nature in children's lives.

Read more about the various studies at Children & Nature Network - http://www.childrenandnature.org/downloads/C&NNHealthBenefits.pdf, and at Planet Ark Australia - http://treeday.planetark.org/documents/doc-813-planting-trees-key-findings-2012-06-27-final.pdf
Image courtesy of Chrisroll / FreeDigitalPhotos.net