documentation

 

research

Following are summaries of research reports, studies and articles relating to various aspects of Youth Development, including the benefits of experiences in nature and Best Practices in program design.  At the end of each summary is a link to the complete document.

White Hutchinson – “Interaction with Nature during the Middle Years: It's Importance in Children's Development & Nature's Future”

 “A growing body of literature shows that the natural environment has profound effects on the well-being of children, including better psychological well-being, superior cognitive functioning, fewer physical ailments and speedier recovery from illness (Wells 2003). It is widely accepted that the environment is likely to have a more profound effect on children due to their greater plasticity or vulnerability (Wells 2003).  However, children today have few opportunities for free play and regular contact with the natural world. Their physical boundaries have shrunk (Francis 1991, Kyttä 2004) due to a number of factors. A 'culture of fear' has parents afraid for their children's safety.  Furthermore, children's lives have become structured and scheduled by adults, who hold the mistaken belief that this sport or that lesson will make their children more successful as adults (Moore & Wong 1997, White & Stoecklin 1998).” 

Click here for full documentand over 50 additional research study references

Children & Nature Network – Childhood Development Research

Research studies include the following titles:

• Direct Experience in Nature Is Critical and Diminishing
• Unstructured Free Play Brings Cognitive, Social and Health Benefits
• Direct Experience and Mentoring Are Key Elements
• Contact with Nature Is Important for Children
• Nature-Smart Kids Get Higher Test Scores
• School Achievement Is Enhanced When Curricula Are Environment Based
• More Evidence Corroborates Environment-Based School Achievement
• Outdoor Experience for Teens Has Self-Reported Life-Changing Results
• Natural Settings Provide Psychological Benefits

Click here for full document.

The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention -  Research Shows Youth Retreats To Be The Most Effective Approach to Prevention and Early Intervention -

Digested from a report by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“Past research has shown that multiple activities within a condensed period of time are more effective than single weekly doses of prevention or early intervention (NIDA 1985).  Typically these single weekly programs are offered in a school setting, which poses two problems.  First, students may reject the information or fail to see its importance in their own lives because it is presented in a setting that may already be negative for them.  Second, squeezing prevention and intervention activities into a busy school day minimizes the amount of intensive training received by the youth. The peer-support retreat approach circumvents these shortcomings. The retreat occurs outside of school at a site chosen for its open and relaxing atmosphere.  Removing students from their accustomed environments and placing them in an unfamiliar setting provides them with the opportunity to reflect on, and talk about, their needs and problems and encourages them to do so.” 

Click here for full document. 

Book Review of Last Child in the Woods – saving our children from nature-deficit disorder, by Richard Louv

As Richard Louv shows in his recent book, Last Child in the Woods - saving our children from nature-deficit disorder, the evidence is overwhelming that exposure to nature provides very important developmental benefits for children, especially for those kids who have been deprived of the opportunity to experience and explore nature because of their economic and/or cultural circumstances.  Mr. Louv shares with us how experiences in nature have been shown conclusively to benefit children socially, psychologically, cognitively and spiritually. This evidence comes from voluminous research that links the lack of nature in the lives of today’s wired generation to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as rises in obesity, Attention Deficit Disorder and depression.  In his book the author provides references to all research cited. 

Click here for full document.