Graffiti Wall Research on Children's Engagement with Nature by Forrest Wang

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 19:28:45 UTC

I voluntarily agree to take part in this study.

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 19:29:05 UTC

Fail to access to the specialists in their field

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 19:36:50 UTC

Tugba is 45 years old, and mother of two children: It

is very difficult to access to the nature from the city.

When we desire to attend an event, we necessarily need

to consult an expert. But it is very difficult to find the right

people. Everyone consider themselves specialists even if

they do not have sufficient knowledge. That's why we

have significant problems, so we can not trust people. I

never resign my child to someone whom I do not trust.
(Merve, 2018)

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 19:37:54 UTC

Merve, C., 2018. With parental eye, factors that prevent to attend nature activites. Educational Research and Reviews, 13(24), pp.769-776.

Things that are only possible outdoors

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 19:52:26 UTC

“Young kids that learn and play outside get direct experience of weather and the seasons and wildlife – things that are only possible outdoors – and they get to assess risks, solve problems and develop creativity,” said Lucy Hellier, WWT learning project manager. “The benefits may seem obvious, but in reality many children don’t get to be outdoors in a natural environment in any regular or meaningful way. And that’s even more common among kids from deprived areas.”
(The Guardian, 2022)

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 19:52:51 UTC

The Guardian. 2022. Three-quarters of UK children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates – survey. [online] Available at: [Accessed 16 March 2022].

Gigantic paradox

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 19:57:19 UTC

Sears said: “Parents see the value of outdoor play and still it doesn’t happen. Outdoor time is shrinking. It is a gigantic paradox.” He said fear of strangers, traffic or accidents deterred parents from allowing children to play outside, as did lack of time due to busy school and work lives. “It’s time we gave parents the tools, skills and confidence to do the things that they know are good for their children.”
(The Guardian, 2022)

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 19:58:47 UTC

The National Trust research showed that children are playing outside for an average of just over four hours a week. This compares unfavorably with 8.2 hours for their parents when they were children.
(Child in the City, 2022)

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 19:59:34 UTC

Child in the City. 2022. Children spend half the time playing outside in comparison to their parents. [online] Available at: [Accessed 16 March 2022].

6 reasons children need to play outside

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 20:03:08 UTC

1. Sunshine
2. Exercise
3. Executive function
4. Taking risks
5. Socialization
6. Appreciation of nature
(Harvard Health, 2022)

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 20:03:21 UTC

Harvard Health. 2022. 6 reasons children need to play outside - Harvard Health. [online] Available at: [Accessed 16 March 2022].

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 20:10:38 UTC

Grove, J., 2022. How to help children connect with nature - Active For Life. [online] Active For Life. Available at: [Accessed 16 March 2022].

How to help children connect with nature

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 20:12:34 UTC

Start by going outside
Let them get dirty
Play simple games
Utilize books and resources
Our kids need this
Make a list, set a date

(Grove, 2022)

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 20:19:16 UTC

sitters. 2022. - The 15 Best Activities for Children to Learn Through Play. [online] Available at: [Accessed 16 March 2022].

The 15 Best Activities for Children to Help Them Learn Through Play

Meifeng — 2022-03-16 20:22:06 UTC

1. Sand
2. Water Play
3. Play Dough
4. Dress-Up and Role Play
5. Doll and Character Play
6. Drawing and Painting
7. Blocks, Jigsaws, and Shape Sorters
8. Music, Dancing, and Singing
9. Imaginative Play
10. Running, Jumping, Climbing, Swinging
11. Nature Play
12. Sensory Play
13. Basic Board Games
14. Cooking and Pretend-Cooking
15. The Cardboard Box
(Sitters, 2022)

Contact the researcher

2022-03-31 16:04:44 UTC

If you are interested in the further research, please do not hesitate to contact the researcher: m.wang2-21@student.lboro.ac.uk

Online questionnaire - fill it out if you're interested

Meifeng — 2022-04-03 13:20:56 UTC

https://lboro.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/online-survey-on-childrens-engagement-with-nature

2022-04-03 13:26:07 UTC

I'm not sure. We're good at getting outside. Though perhaps because television is more accessible due to online 'on demand' TV its often easier to put the TV on than to get outside.

2022-04-03 13:27:41 UTC

All of these articles seem spot on. We're not bothered by the risks of outdoor play though. It's part of life and a helpful learning experience.

2022-04-03 13:28:05 UTC

I understand the concern to protect children from unqualified supervisor's but I don't think that affects our attitude to taking our children outdoors. We've grown up playing outside, we know a lot about the natural world and generally see the countryside as a safer place than an urban environment.

2022-04-03 13:28:43 UTC

Children are pretty good at finding ways to play wherever they are. Encouraging imaginative engagement with nature is just part of life. I don't really have any concerns, since I don't intend on taking my children to especially dangerous spots (at least before they're old enough to understand the risks), e.g. very deep bodies of water, and sheer drops.

Meifeng — 2022-04-03 13:32:43 UTC

2022-04-05 15:59:07 UTC

Yeah they spend less time the reason of it I think is because I grow up in a village with mmuch more open space then where my child it’s growing upd

I think spending time in nature for kids ne also for adults it’s a very good thing to do

2022-04-05 16:04:40 UTC

I probably didn’t first reason it’s the covid which didn’t let us go much outside in last 2 years and second the job which keeps us busy and away from our childrens

2022-04-05 16:06:39 UTC

2022-04-05 16:08:00 UTC

I have no concerns expect cold days for her to go and play out

2022-04-05 16:09:51 UTC

Probably hiking walking on the beaches, swimming, drawing, painting etc

2022-05-08 18:56:01 UTC

They do generally spend less time outdoors than when we were growing up. There’s a lot more structured activities now, and the internet and gaming is very fast paced, appealing and exciting!

2022-05-08 19:01:24 UTC

When my children were younger we spent lots of time outside. But as they have got older they have spent more time with their friends. And I have spent more time working so have forgotten to encourage and facilitate outdoor activities.

Maybe?

2022-05-11 18:51:37 UTC

It’s hard to say as I can’t remember being 3 years old. I do know we didn’t have much TV or tablets etc back then so I guess play was indoor or outdoor (weather permitting) with regular toys!

Yes!

2022-05-11 18:52:21 UTC

Kids love mud and learning about the natural environment, collecting things like flowers and sticks! Fresh air is good for everyone too and you can also get off those bloody screens!

Sometimes

2022-05-11 18:54:31 UTC

We have local parks very close by. I don’t get much time to go other than weekends, but mummy and relatives take the young one more regularly after playgroup. Barriers: time, weather, busyness, other chores or plans etc.

Concerns

2022-05-11 18:55:37 UTC

Safety but not hugely. Accidents happen. One of the key things is to ensure turn taking on play equipment and always having an eye on them if they are being more independent.

Activities

2022-05-11 18:56:47 UTC

Beach is great. They love sand, shells and the sea, kite flying maybe and building sand castles. Creation (and mostly destruction) is the aim of their game.

Yes, because i grew up in a completely different country to my child and there was not as much digital influence

2022-05-14 16:33:16 UTC

Yes because being in nature is a relaxing feeling, it is an environment which releases my stress and it helps my child let loose and run around to play

2022-05-14 16:36:02 UTC

I feel like my child has sufficient outdoor opportunities, she plays a lot in the home garden, she also plays outside everyday at school, and on holidays we visit natural sites

2022-05-14 16:38:53 UTC

I just want my child to be safe in all areas of her play time

2022-05-14 16:41:41 UTC

My child loves flower picking, and she also loves the beach building sandcastles and picking sea shells, she loves animals too so the zoo and aquarium is another destination

2022-05-14 16:43:48 UTC