Children and Nature – Organisations
There are a growing number of organisations around the world which encourage children to spend more time outside interacting with nature. Some, like Scouts and Girl Guides, are well known around the world and have been around for many years. Others, such as Nature Play, have been formed in more recent times specifically to address the problem of children spending less time outdoors than previous generations. Some organisations have a strong focus on education for environmental sustainability and conservation. The following links will take you to these organisations who believe in strengthening the connections between children and nature.
Child & Nature Alliance (Canada)
International Association of Nature Pedagogy (IANP)
Australian Association of Environmental Educators (AAEE)
Health Benefits of Nature – Research Papers, Articles & Books
Robbins, J. (2020) Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits your Health.
Preuß, M. (2019) Low Childhood Nature Exposure is Associated with Worse Mental Health in Adulthood
Astell-Burt, T (2019) Increasing Tree Cover for Community Mental Health
Williams, F. (2017) The Nature Fix: Why Nature makes us happier, healthier and more creative.
Malone, K. & Waite, S. (2016) Student Outcomes & Natural Schooling. Plymouth: Plymouth University
Moss, S. (2012) Natural Childhood Report. National Trust UK.
Townsend, M (2010) Beyond Blue to Green.- The health benefits of nature
Selhub, E & Logan, A (2012) Your Brain on Nature
Berger, R (2017) Nature Therapy. Incorporating Nature into Arts Therapy
Breyer, M. (2017) You can boost happiness by simply observing nature
Black, J. (2020) 12 Scientific Benefits of Being Outdoors
Nature Crafts and Environmental Awareness
Inwood, H. & Sharpe, J. (2018) Growing a garden-based approach to art aducation
MacEachren, Z (2020) Crafting as a Practice of Relating to the Natural World
Health Benefits of Crafting
Smith, I (2019) Four reasons craft is good for your mental health
Luckman, S. (2018). How craft is good for our health.
Short, A (2018) What are Health Benefits of Arts and Crafts Projects for children?
Kenning, G. (2015) “Fiddling with Threads”: Craft-based Textile Activities and Positive Well-being
Other Cool Nature Art and Craft Sites
Andy Goldsworthy – Land Artist
Michael Grab – Stone Balance Artist
Conservation Ideas for Your Backyard
Bird Friendly Gardens (Australia)
Butterfly Gardening (Australia)
Butterfly Gardening (Australia) more
Butterfly Gardening (Australia) and more
Butterfly Gardening (USA) more
Improving biodiversity (Australia)
No backyard? No problem!
Community Gardens or allotments are great place to garden for those who don’t have access to their own land. Most community gardens welcome children and they often have areas specifically designed for children’s gardening and nature play. Community gardens are also a great source of materials for nature crafting – prunings, seedpods, flowers and leaves.
Children and Nature – Video
Recorded at the fabulous Ecotopia Community Gardening Conference in Sydney in 2012, during this video I talk about various activities that can be successfully carried out in a school garden, including nature crafts.