Kids who feel connected with nature are happier -- and more likely to befriend, help, and share

© 2020 GWEN DEWAR, PH.D., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Does your child feel connected with nature? Researchers can measure these feelings with a standard questionnaire, and they've discovered fascinating links. Nature-loving children are happier. They experience fewer behavior problems. And they are more likely to treat others with kindness.

As I have explained before, the scientific evidence is compelling. Green space is good for us. Experiments and massive, population-wide studies all converge on the same conclusions about exposure to nature:

It can defuse toxic stress, lift moods, and renew our ability to concentrate.
It promotes good health.
It appears protect us from developing psychiatric problems.

But most of this research is about spending time in green space. Hanging out. Being there physically.

It doesn't necessarily address how we perceive the natural world. Many of us feel an emotional connection with nature. What about that?

Researchers have a term for it: Connectedness to nature. And it appears to have it's own, special impact on our well-being.

Researchers have defined "connectedness to nature" as an individual's "affective, experiential connection to nature." Does it make a difference, feeling this connection? It certainly seems to.

For example, researchers in Canada asked 30,000 adolescents if they were experiencing emotional problems or symptoms of stress (Piccininni et al 2018).

The kids answered questions about irritability, nervousness, depression, sleep disturbance, and frequent headaches. In addition, the kids rated their feelings about the natural world.

And researchers discovered a telling link:

Compared with kids who were relatively indifferent, adolescents who rated their connection with nature as "important" had a 25% reduction in stress-related symptoms.

In a smaller study of approximately 300 primary school children in Mexico, researchers found that kids with strong feelings of connectness to nature tended to report higher levels of happiness (Barrera-Hernandez et al 2020).

And parallel results have been reported in a wide range of adult surveys. Across 30 published studies on adult well-being, connectedness to nature has been linked with greater feelings of happiness and vitality (Capaldi et al 2015).

Not surprisingly, connectedness to nature has also been linked with greater feelings of responsibility toward the environment.

Adults who feel connected to nature take more actions to protect and preserve it (Geng et al 2015), and it’s likely that kids experience a similar effect.

In that survey of Mexican children, feelings of connecteness to nature were strongly correlated with pro-ecological behavior (like conserving household resources).

And in a Swedish study, researchers found that 10-year-old children developed stronger feelings of responsibility and care toward wildlife after they helped rescue a local amphibian species from a human-made hazard.

Two years later, these kids still reported feeling increased sympathy and concern for the creatures (Barthel et al 2018).

But there is likely much more. Kids who love nature aren't just happier and more invested in protecting the environment. They also seem to be better-behaved -- and more caring -- towards their fellow human beings.

For evidence, consider a study by Tanja Sobko and her colleagues -- a study of families living in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is intensely urban, but it's dotted by many parks and green spaces. In fact, 90% of the population lives within 400 meters of one of these small "nature zones."

So there are many opportunities for outdoor activities and nature experiences. Does nature play an important role in children's lives? And, if so, does a child's feelings about nature predict his or her behavior toward other human beings?

To answer, Sobko and colleagues recruited more than 200 parents of young children -- kids between the ages of 2 and 5. And the researchers asked parents to fill out two different questionnaires.

One was a standard screening tool called the "Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire." It measures behavioral and emotional adjustment. Parents were asked if their children experienced

conduct problems (like fighting or cheating)
peer problems (like peer rejection, or a lack of friends)
emotional problems (like frequent fears, or angry outbursts), and
attention problems (like difficulty staying focused and completing tasks).

In addition, parents were asked to assess the degree to which their youngsters behaved prosocially, i.e., whether their kids were

considerate of other people's feelings
helpful if another child is hurt, upset, or feeling ill
kind to others; and
ready to share with other kids.

The second questionnaire, called the "Connectedness to Nature Index for Parents of Preschool Children," or CNI-PPC, asked parents to rate their agreement with statements about their children's

enjoyment of nature,
empathy for nature,
responsibility for nature, and
awareness of nature.

For example, parents read statements like "Being in nature makes my child peaceful" (a measure of "enjoyment of nature"), and they indicated whether the statements were true, only somewhat true, or not at all true.

I've copied some additional sample items in the box below. They will help you better understand what the researchers were looking for. They also offer some thought-provoking questions for you to ask about your own child.

Sample items from the Connectedness to Nature Index for Parents of Preschool Children

Are these statements true, only somewhat true, or not at all true?

ENJOYMENT OF NATURE:

My child likes to hear different sounds in nature.
My child likes to see wild flowers in nature.
My child likes to garden and plant.
My child enjoys collecting rocks and plants.

EMPATHY FOR NATURE:

My child feels sad when wild animals are hurt.
My child is distressed when he or she sees animals being hurt.
My child is heartbroken when animals pass away.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR NATURE:

My child believes that picking up trash can help nature.
My child treats plants, animals, and insects with care.
My child enjoys recycling paper and bottles.

AWARENESS OF NATURE:

My child notices wildlife wherever he or she is.
My child notices birds and other sounds in nature.
My child chooses to read about plants and animals.

So what were the results of the study? What did the researchers discover?

Three of the "connectedness" factors -- enjoyment of nature, responsibility for nature, and awareness of nature -- were directly related to preschoolers' behavior, and some of the effects were large.

For instance, responsibility toward nature explained about 70% of the variation in conduct problems and prosocial behavior. It explained approximately 60% of the variation in peer problems, and 40% of the variation in children's tendencies to be hyperactive or inattentive.

Enjoyment of nature had a widespread impact across the spectrum of social and emotional functioning, explaining about 50% of the variation among children.

And awareness of nature explained approximately 50% of the observed variation in children's emotional problems.

What about empathy for nature?

That, too, was strongly linked to social and behavioral problems, but the path was indirect.

Children who scored high on empathy for nature tended to score high on responsibility toward nature, and it was responsibility-- a factor emphasizing a child's actions -- that best predicted a child's behavior and social-emotional status.

What explains these links?

Why was connectedness to nature linked with better child outcomes?

The researchers caution that they didn't collect information on the parents' socioeconomic status and parenting styles. They didn't ask parents about their own, personal attitudes toward nature.

And it's sure bet that parental characteristics explain at least some of the results here.

For instance, kids who are connected with nature may be more likely to have parents who actively support the development of prosocial behavior. Their parents might make better use of strategies that help young children hone social skills (see this Parenting Science article for tips on fostering preschool social skills).

It also seems likely that family stress (including economic stress) plays a role.

Parents who are stressed-out are more likely to have children with behavior problems. And if you're stressed-out, are you going to invest as much time and energy in helping your child feel connected with nature? Maybe not.

Then, too, we mustn't forget that this study didn't evaluate children directly. Researchers are relying on parental reports.

Parents know a lot about their children, but they are imperfect witnesses, and they might get some things wrong.

Yet another study -- one that questioned children directly -- indicates that nature-loving kids are more likely to treat people with kindness and respect.

In their study of Mexican school children -- ranging in age from 9 to 12 years -- Laura Barrera-Hernandez and colleagues found that "connectedness to nature" tended to predict self-reported altruism and fairness.

Kids who scored high on connectedness were more likely to agree with statements like

"I help someone who falls or gets hurt,"
"I treat all my classmates as equals," and
"I explain or help schoolmates with their homework or tasks they do not understand."

This study, like the Hong Kong study, didn't control for parental characteristics or socioeconomic status, so we still can't know how these factors might have affected the results.

But regardless, we're still left with the links.

In the Hong Kong study, parents who perceived lots of nature connectedness in their preschoolers also reported better child outcomes.

In the study of Mexican school children, kids who scored high on connectedness also expressed more friendly, egalitarian, prosocial attitudes.

If nothing else, we have evidence that "connectedness to nature" is a predictor of better behavior. It's a good sign.

And given what we already know about the benefits of green space, we have every reason to nurture our children's positive feelings toward the natural world.

If kids grow up feeling connected with nature, they will be more likely to seek out nature experiences. And, as I've explained elsewhere, experiments indicate that nature experiences can reduce stress, dispel bad moods, restore concentration.

What happens when we've got all these good things going for us?

We tend to be more pleasant, considerate, attentive.

So it makes sense that connecting with nature could lead us to become more prosocial -- more likely to help, share, and befriend.

What can we do to help children feel connected with nature?

Kids need to experience nature, that's obvious. But you shouldn't feel helpless if you live in a city, or lack a private green space.

Those preschoolers in the Hong Kong study were growing up in one of the most densely populated places on earth, and all of the kids lived in apartments. Yet they still developed strong feelings of connectedness to nature.

So visit local parks, and whatever little pockets of nature you can find. Even a view out the window -- or time spent tending your own, modest container garden -- is helpful. So, too, are virtual nature visits: Expose your child to the grandeur of nature through exciting nature documentaries and photographs.
Help kids tune into nature by providing them with goal-based activities. Ask kids to search for interesting insects, seeds, or rocks. Encourage young children to spot signs of wildlife with these tracking activities.
Encourage kids to communicate their nature experiences through writing, artwork, or photography. As I will explain in an upcoming post, there's evidence creative projects can deepen a child's connection with nature.
Take steps to counteract negative cultural messages that your child encounters about wildlife. Studies confirm that folk attitudes about specific creatures (e.g., "toads are disgusting,") can prejudice us against wild animals (Brom et al 2020; Ceríaco 2012). So model curiosity, respect, and enthusiasm -- not negativity.
Learn more about wildlife, and get involved in the protection of local wildlife. People feel more connected with nature when they can identify the species they see. And remember those children in Sweden who helped save a local amphibian species? Participation in wildlife conservation helps us deepen our sense of connectedness.

For more, see my article, "How to connect with nature: Tips for tuning into the natural world."

Additional reading

Want to know more about the science in favor of green spaces? See my article, "Green spaces benefit mental health."

In addition, see this Parenting Science article about the many benefits of outdoor play, as well as my evidence-based guide, "Outdoor learning and green time: How kids benefit from learning and playing in nature."

References: Kids connected with nature

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Barrable A and Booth D. 2020. Increasing Nature Connection in Children: A Mini Review of Interventions. Front Psychol. 11:492.

Barrera-Hernández LF, Sotelo-Castillo MA, Echeverría-Castro SB, Tapia-Fonllem CO. 2020. Connectedness to Nature: Its Impact on Sustainable Behaviors and Happiness in Children. Front Psychol. 11:276.

Barthel S, Belton S, Raymond CM, Giusti M. 2018. Fostering Children's Connection to Nature Through Authentic Situations: The Case of Saving Salamanders at School. Front Psychol. 9:928.

Brom P, Anderson P, Channing A, Underhill LG. 2020. The role of cultural norms in shaping attitudes towards amphibians in Cape Town, South Africa. PLoS One. 15(2):e0219331.

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Image credits for "Kids who feel connected with nature":

Title image of children under the trees by jacoblund/istock

image of park in Hong Kong by lavendertme / istock

image of big sister hugging little brother by mmg1design / istock

Content last modified 7/1/2020

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