Hundreds of scientific, peer-reviewed research studies now confirm the essential benefit of outdoor education for kids.
(Here are a few of our favorites.)
The Prairie Science Class, a partnership between Independent School District 544 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System, uses a local prairie wetlands ecosystem as an integrating and motivating context to engage students in science, math, and writing through real world, field-based learning experiences.
| the_prairie_science_class_-_full_article.pdf |
Four pilot studies explore the influence of nature play in the context of nature preschools on children’s curiosity, executive function skills, creative thinking, and resilience.
| sustainability_article_young_childrens_contributions.pdf |
This study examines the effect of nature preschools on the development of key protective factors associated with psychological resilience.
| comparing_the_impact_some_may_be_better_fron_psy.pdf |
The series of Research Briefs investigates the impact of nature schools on young children. Each article focuses on one of the following performance indicators: physical activity, resilience, executive functioning, peer interactions, learning behaviors, creative thinking, and curiosity.
| flourishing_in_nature-physicalactivity.pdf |
| flourishing_in_nature-protective_factors_associated_with_resilience.pdf |
| flourishing_in_nature-executive_function_skills.pdf |
| flourishing_in_nature-peer_play_interactions.pdf |
| flourishing_in_nature-learning_behaviors.pdf |
| flourishing_in_nature-creative_thinking.pdf |
| flourishing_in_nature-curiosity.pdf |
