Connection to nature is associated with social-emotional learning of children

Lanza, Kevin; Alcazar, Melody; Chen, Baojiang; Kohl, Harold-W.

doi:10.1016/j.cresp.2022.100083

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Schools can play a vital role in helping cities adapt to climate change and become more climate resilient. Creating more natural and comfortable school environments by implementing vegetation, water features, and shaded structures has been shown to improve physical, mental, and social well-being [ 14 – 17 , 23 ]. Projects such as “Climate Shelters”, that aim to transform public primary schools in Barcelona into cool islands through a mix of blue, green, and grey measures, can benefit the school community and the entire neighbourhoods of Barcelona.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting Schools to Climate Change with Green, Blue, and Grey Measures in Barcelona: Study Protocol of a Mixed-Method Evaluation

Sanz-Mas,

Ubalde-López,

Borràs

et al. 2024

J Urban Health

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Under the framework of the Urban Innovative Actions program of the European Commission, in 2020, 11 primary schools in Barcelona were transformed into climate shelters by implementing green, blue, and grey measures. Schoolyards were also opened to the local community to be used during non-school periods. Here we present the study protocol of a mixed-method approach to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions in terms of improving environmental quality and health for users. We evaluated school level through the following: (1) quantitative pre-post quasi-experimental study, and (2) qualitative evaluation. The quantitative study included measures of (a) environmental variables (collected via low-cost and non-low-cost sensors), (b) students’ health and well-being (collected via health questionnaires, attention levels test, and systematic observations), and (c) teachers’ health and well-being (collected via thermal comfort measurements and health questionnaires). The qualitative methods evaluated the perceptions about the effects of the interventions among students (using Photovoice) and teachers (through focus groups). The impact of the interventions was assessed at community level during summer non-school periods through a spontaneous ethnographic approach. Data collection started in August 2019 and ended in July 2022. The evaluation provides the opportunity to identify those solutions that worked and those that need to be improved for future experiences, as well as improve the evaluation methodology and replication for these kinds of interventions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting Schools to Climate Change with Green, Blue, and Grey Measures in Barcelona: Study Protocol of a Mixed-Method Evaluation

Sanz-Mas,

Ubalde-López,

Borràs

et al. 2024

J Urban Health

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“…SEL is defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as the process that enables the acquisition and application of competencies directed towards social awareness and interpersonal relationships (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, 2022). Recently, a relationship has been demonstrated between nature connection and (Lanza et al, 2023). The role of belongingness and awareness in this model's Knowledge Experience is therefore to drive connection and provide experiences with content and natural environments, breaking a cycle of lack of knowledge -reduced experiences in natural environments -negative emotions and behaviors directed towards nature (Soga and Gaston, 2016).…”

Section: Conscience and Belongingmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…SEL is defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as the process that enables the acquisition and application of competencies directed towards social awareness and interpersonal relationships ( Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, 2022 ). Recently, a relationship has been demonstrated between nature connection and such competencies, such that the development of nature-based SEL interventions can facilitate and strengthen children’s psychological connection with nature ( Lanza et al, 2023 ).…”

Section: The Nature-based Intervention Model “A Time With E-natureza ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A time with e-Natureza (e-Nature): a model of nature-based health interventions as a complex adaptive system

Leão,

Hingst-Zaher,

Savieto

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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Discussions surrounding the positive impacts of nature on human health and strategies to enhance our connection with the natural world have been ongoing. However, a limited number of theoretical models are available to guide research and practice in this area. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a systematic framework that outlines clear steps for conducting research implementing nature-based interventions. In this study, we investigate the relationship between health and nature through the lens of Complex Adaptive Systems. This approach involves examining the dynamic interactions between multiple interconnected elements to understand the complex emergent behaviors that arise from such relationships. Our model is designed to support nature-based interventions, considering the essential interdependence between humans and nature. This perspective aims to improve both human health and biodiversity conservation in a mutually beneficial manner. The underlying interactions that drive nature-based health interventions are thoroughly explored, leading us to propose a novel intervention model named “A time with e-Natureza” (e-Nature). This model encompasses four types of experiences, drawing from scientific literature and insights from authors engaged in an interdisciplinary research group: (1) Aesthetic and emotional experience; (2) Multisensory integration experience; (3) Knowledge experience; and (4) Engagement experience. Each experience within the model targets affective, cognitive, and behavioral aspects, with a specific focus on fostering a deeper connection with nature. Distinct activities are incorporated within each experience to promote successful outcomes. The model is grounded in existing theories that address the human-nature relationship and is informed by Nursing theories that support health promotion interventions. By presenting this new model, our aim is to contribute to the effective implementation of nature-based interventions that not only enhance human well-being but also support the conservation of nature. This integrated approach recognizes the mutual benefits of human-nature interaction and offers valuable insights for future research and practical applications in the fields of nature and health.

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“…Naturebased solutions can particularly benefit from the integration of communication and education departments and the subsequent creation of informational policy instruments (e.g., workshops, surveys, websites, articles, labels, and certifications) and economic instruments (Mendonça et al 2021). In turn, those departments can gain from their co-benefits, i.e., citizens in better health, green prescriptions (Robinson and Breed 2019), green classrooms, increases in socio-emotional learning (Lanza et al 2023), increase in property values (Sander et al 2010), and improved mental health of city dwellers (van den Berg et al 2015), among others.…”

Section: The Way Forward: Insights Gained For Nbs Integration In Urba...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of nature-based solutions (NBS) in local policy and planning toward transformative change. Evidence from Barcelona, Lisbon, and Turin

Kauark-Fontes¹,

Marchetti²,

Salbitano³

2023

E&S

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The attention given to nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban governance is often hindered by the fragmentation of responsibilities in technical and administrative services and by rigid structural conditions within urban regimes. This drastically harms NBS implementation and their co-benefits. There is limited information regarding NBS integration across levels and scales of urban governance, in particular a lack of studies that access such integration in urban policy and planning. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the integration of NBS in urban policy and planning in Barcelona, Lisbon, and Turin, the three European municipalities participating in the H2020 project CONEXUS. The objectives are: (1) to understand the state of top-down and bottom-up integration of NBS in urban policy and planning in the three cities; (2) to understand barriers in integration that might hinder the evolution of the NBS agenda in said instruments; (3) to identify policy and planning entry points that can catalyze forms of cross-sectoral, multilevel, and interdisciplinary governance of NBS toward transformative change. The methods used include an in-depth analysis of official municipal, metropolitan, regional, and national documents and expert interviews. The results show that NBS integration in urban policy and planning is novel in all cities but advancing considerably with initial dialogues among the public sector, academia, and local actors of various provenances. Planning in silos persists, negatively impacting any possible confluence of actions toward NBS integration and implementation. However, a constellation of national and international plans including NBS, combined with the development of cross-cutting policies and plans, and an increasing interest from the municipalities and citizens, reveal an enabling environment for NBS integration in urban policies. Our findings are translated into insights that can support policy and decision makers to operationalize NBS integration in their municipal agendas, policies, and plans.

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Connection to nature is associated with social-emotional learning of children

Cited by 5 publications

References 35 publications

Adapting Schools to Climate Change with Green, Blue, and Grey Measures in Barcelona: Study Protocol of a Mixed-Method Evaluation

Adapting Schools to Climate Change with Green, Blue, and Grey Measures in Barcelona: Study Protocol of a Mixed-Method Evaluation

A time with e-Natureza (e-Nature): a model of nature-based health interventions as a complex adaptive system

Integration of nature-based solutions (NBS) in local policy and planning toward transformative change. Evidence from Barcelona, Lisbon, and Turin

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