Topic > Children in nature - 917

Over the past decade, learning through landscapes has demonstrated the powerful influence of the outdoor environment on children. (Lucas, 1996) notes that to ensure the success of the external environment it is necessary to investigate and explore children in their environmental knowledge and also in the living environment. He found that the environment is more significant for children's well-being. This finding is also supported by (Titman, 1996)'s review of the hidden curriculum of their school life. She discovered how the school environment influences children's behavior and happiness and outlined steps adults can take to ensure the educational environment meets children's needs. Experiences with nature must also be explored. Outdoor learning for children is especially powerful; their responses to sensory and tactile stimuli are rich and empowering. According to (Dunne, 2000), pupils are more likely to succeed when they are involved in carrying out activities rather than academic learning, and environmental education is an ideal medium for learning activities. To realize this concept, special schools see the wide range of benefits their children derive from using properly landscaped land. This was also supported by (Marcus and Barnes, 1999) who stated that gardens with natural features have restorative properties for people, including children with physical and mental illnesses or disabilities. Previous research has demonstrated the healing benefits of sensory gardens. All children have the right to play. Recovery from children's illnesses could be achieved through play therapy (Said, 2002). This type of therapy helps children exposed to the external environment and therefore has improved their well-being......half of the article......Ed.), Communicating the benefits of plants to the health community: Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Human Plants, Floriade, 14 June 2002 (pp. 2-10). Chicago: Chicago Botanic Garden.22. Vapaa, A.G., (2002). Healing Gardens: Creating places for restoration, meditation, and sanctuary. Unpublished master's thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, United States.23. World Health Organization (2011). National health accounts data and statistics. Retrieved January 14, 2011, from http://www.who.int/nha/en/index.html24. Wong, A. (2010). Break Free: The emotional and physical well-being of children in the countryside. Mychild, December edition, pp. 50-53.25. Worden, C.E., (2003). Environmental Horticulture: Lawn and Garden Design of Sensory Gardens. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida