Spending time in nature improves children's learning

Children's contact with the natural environment increases the academic performance and healthy development of children, according to a new academic analysis. Children should start learning in nature, not enclosed within four walls. For children, nature means a large amusement park, a source of health and a learning classroom. This is the conclusion drawn from the exhaustive analysis prepared by Ming Kuo, associate professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences of the University of Illinois, and published in the Frontiers in Psychology.

Kuo reviewed hundreds of scientific studies on the benefits of contact with the natural environment for the development and learning of children. When he began his work, he hoped that this critical review would carry more questions than answers. Instead, all the signs pointed to the same result: "It's time to take nature seriously as a resource for learning. In fact, the tendency to increase teaching indoors with the hope of maximizing performance may be doing more harm than good.", says Kuo.

Kuo and his team at the University of Minnesota have discovered that spending time in nature can benefit children's learning in different ways. "We found strong evidence that time in nature has a rejuvenating effect on attention; relieve the stress; increases self-discipline; increases physical activity and physical condition; and promotes self-motivation, enjoyment and commitment of students. And all this has proven to improve learning.", explains Kuo.

In addition, nature creates a quieter, quieter and safer learning environment, fosters warmer and more cooperative relationships among students and offers more creative and exploratory forms of play. Although this information is not new, the exhaustive analysis of all the scientific studies carried out on the subject represents the first time the evidence is united in a single line. They also provide an explanation of something that has baffled scientists in this field, because even small doses of nature can have surprisingly large effects on children. These effects extend beyond academic achievement, according to the review. Weather in nature seems to foster personal skills and qualities important for future success, and can play a critical role in helping children become environmental stewards. The analysis also suggests the multiple benefits that the greening of school playgrounds could bring and the incorporation of activities in nature in the academic program of primary school children.

"Even small exposures to nature are beneficial. If the students are indoors, having a view of a garden instead of facing the wall makes a difference. At the same time, more is better. That is one of the things that gives us more confidence that we are seeing a true cause and effect relationship.", says Kuo.

Source: Neus Palou. (2019). Spending time in nature improves children's learning. 2019, from La Vanguardia Website: ttps: //www.lavanguardia.com/natural/tu-huella/20190313/461011629869/naturaleza-ninos-mejoras-aprendizaje-infantil-revision-estudios.html