Previous human studies have suggested that early life exposure to microbes (i.e., germs) is an important determinant of adulthood sensitivity to allergic and autoimmune diseases such as hay fever, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. This concept of exposing people to germs at an early age (i.e…

Developing and implementing a Nature Kindergarten provided new opportunities for students and teachers to deepen their connections with place. ABSTRACT This article describes the planning and implementing of a Nature Kindergarten in the Sooke Public School District in British Columbia, Canada.…

SAN FRANCISCO - As the number of smart phones, tablets, electronic games and other handheld screens in U.S. homes continues to grow, some children begin using these devices before beginning to talk. New research being presented at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting suggests these children…

Key findings A majority of Australian children are spending more than the recommended two-hour daily limit for screen time (watching television, on computers and playing electronic games). At 4–5 years old, children average more than two hours screen time per week-day. By 12–13 yea…

ABSTRACT This article addresses the effects of a risk-averse Western society on healthy childhood development. Forest and nature schools are specifically identified for their inclusion of outdoor risky play. Forest and nature schools are presented as idealized venues to investigate and understa…

Summary   Preschool children can develop empathy for non-human beings, can feel the need to protect them, and recognize their intrinsic value This study evaluated the impact of an early childhood environmental education program designed to promote environmentally friendly attitudes in…

Highlights Children’s use of trees increased gradually as their connection with the place developed. Trees provided materials, play space and activities that responded to children’s needs. Experience and scaffolding around trees taught the children how to manage tree-related ri…

ABSTRACT We tested the hypothesis that an environment with fewer toys will lead to higher quality of play for toddlers. Each participant (n =36) engaged in supervised, individual free play sessions under two conditions: Four Toy and Sixteen Toy. With fewer toys, participants had fewer incidences…

ABSTRACT The relationship between spending time in nature and behaving in an ecological manner seems to be contingent on various factors. This cross-sectional study evaluates the association of Frequency of Contact with Nature (FCN) on children's Environmental Attitudes (EA) and self-reported…

A Population-based Prospective Study BACKGROUND: Natural environments, including green spaces, may have beneficial impacts on brain development. However, longitudinal evidence of an association between long-term exposure to green spaces and cognitive development (including attention) in childr…