Description

In this interview, Dr. Nicole Harris synthesizes findings from 22 studies examining the impact of nature-based activities on children and young people's sense of nature connectedness and their learning behaviors. She begins by presenting the background of the literature review, explaining what the team hoped to learn and why this topic holds personal, professional, and broader research significance. Dr. Harris then discusses the key findings, highlighting how these insights might inform future practice in educational and developmental settings. She also reflects on the challenges encountered during the review process and the complexities involved in interpreting the data. Central to her message is the idea that there are multiple ways schools and organizations working with children and young people can foster a connection to nature, which in turn supports positive learning behaviors. To help professionals build on this knowledge, Dr. Harris offers a practical framework for designing and monitoring action research aimed at deepening our understanding of how nature connectedness benefits children and young people.

Learning Objectives

A. To understand the types of activities that can support children and young people to connect with nature, which can also support the development of their behaviours for learning. 

B. To understand the range of benefits that can come from supporting children and young people to connect with nature, especially in the context of their behaviours for learning.  

C. To recognise some of the limitations around the current evidence base 

D. To understand how educators could carry out their own action research, to help build an evidence base exploring the impact of nature-based interventions, delivered in schools, on nature-connectedness and behaviours for learning.

Related Content Links

The protective role of community cohesion across rural and urban contexts: Implications for youth mental health
Urban versus rural environments – which is better for mental health?
Longitudinal effects of green, blue, and gray spaces on early adolescent mental health in the United States

Paper Link

https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/camh.12774