Children who are connected to nature perform better, research shows

According to research conducted by the University of Derby, children who are closer to nature often achieve better results in their Key Stage 2 tests, compared to those who are less connected.

The research involved questioning 775 pupils from 15 primary schools about how close they felt with nature. In particular, they were asked to say how much they agreed with a series of statements. These included: ‘I like to hear different sounds in nature’; ‘When I feel sad, I like to go outside into nature’; ‘Being in the natural environment makes me feel peaceful’; and ‘I like to garden’.

Dr Miles Richardson, who led the research project, found that children who were closer to their natural surroundings tended to perform significantly better that their counterparts in their English Key Stage 2 tests. These children also exhibited higher levels of wellbeing than their classmates.

Richardson said: “That connection to nature is part of a healthy and satisfied life. It’s that feeling of having a relationship to the wider ecology – enjoying it, and finding wonder and awe. An emotional experience in the natural world.

“You don’t need a wilderness or a fantastic rural environment to experience a connection to nature. You can find it in very modest places: in the park, or in the flowers on the trees in the car park.”

The study is part of wider research to explore new ways to encourage pupils to improve their appreciation of nature. The research is currently investigating whether the aim could be better achieved by teaching children about plants and animals or developed through arts-based activities such as nature drawing.

Joe Hayman, chief executive of the PSHE Association, agreed that there is clear evidence linking pupil wellbeing and academic achievement. However, he argued that it was difficult to tell whether there is a direct causal relationship between the two.

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