How to encourage parents to let children play in nature: Factors affecting parental perception of children's nature play

Truong, Mai; Hosaka, Tetsurō; Nakabayashi, Miyabi

doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127497

Cited by 13 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 36 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This meant that environmental factors such as regional biodiversity and plant diversity were decreasing, thus reducing the opportunities for children to come into contact with nature on their own [ 3 , 30 ]. Likewise, children’s own excessive academic pressure, parents’ extensive scheduling of interest classes for children outside of school hours [ 27 ] and parents’ concerns about the safety of children’s outdoor activities [ 32 ] resulted in children not having the time and opportunity to engage in outdoor natural activities. These are also important influencing factors for the lack of opportunities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study on the Characteristics of Children’s Natural Activities in the Neighborhood and Their Influencing Factors: Evidence from Hangzhou, China

Ji¹,

Li²,

Shao

2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the process of urbanization, children are becoming increasingly estranged from nature. The phenomenon has received widespread attention in developed countries because of its many negative effects on children’s health and pro-nature behaviors. However, the existing studies lack the exploration of this issue in developing countries, especially with regard to China. In order to understand the characteristics of neighborhood natural activities and their influencing factors among children in China, we conducted a systematic questionnaire survey of 900 children (10–12 years old from Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, Eastern China) about their natural activities in the neighborhood. Children were asked to provide basic information on their neighborhood natural activities situation (frequency, duration and location), nature connectedness and environmental knowledge. The results showed that the frequency of children’s neighborhood natural activities in rural areas was less than that of children in urban areas, but the naturalness of the neighborhood natural activity sites of rural children was higher than that of urban children. Boys spent more time engaging in neighborhood natural activities than girls. Only children outlasted non-only children in terms of the duration of neighborhood natural activities. Regarding Influencing Factors, children’s nature connectedness and environmental knowledge significantly and positively predicted the frequency and location of children’s natural activities in the neighborhood, which indicates a new approach to the promotion of children’s neighborhood natural activities. Overall, how to encourage children to engage in natural activities in the neighborhood is a complex issue that needs to be studied in more regions and with more samples.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study on the Characteristics of Children’s Natural Activities in the Neighborhood and Their Influencing Factors: Evidence from Hangzhou, China

Ji¹,

Li²,

Shao

2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…On the other hand, societal factors, such as safety issues, longer formal education times and lack of a suitable outdoor environment, reduce young people's connection with nature [22]. Firstly, as the crime rate increases and concerns about the safety of their children increase, parents tend to leave their children at home instead of in nature [17,23]. For example, with the emergence of COVID-19, parents' worries about infectious diseases limit children's outdoor activities [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Firstly, as the crime rate increases and concerns about the safety of their children increase, parents tend to leave their children at home instead of in nature [17,23]. For example, with the emergence of COVID-19, parents' worries about infectious diseases limit children's outdoor activities [23]. Secondly, the increase in formal education time has greatly compressed students' extracurricular activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship between Extensive Application of Technology and “Withdrawal from Nature” of Young People

Song

Liu

2022

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between the extensive application of technology and young people’s “withdrawal from nature”. Among them, “withdrawal from nature” is mainly manifested in a reduced connection with and concern for nature. Two rounds of semi-structured interviews were conducted with 101 young people from China. Thematic analysis was performed to analyze the interview data and resulted in three main themes: the “compensation”, “shifting” and “shielding” effects of technology. More specifically, the application of technology can partially make up for nature’s reduced role in the growth of young people, shift their concerns for ecological problems, and even affect their perception and evaluation of ecological destruction. Thus, it was proved that the application of technology has an impact on young people’s “withdrawal from nature”. This study supplemented the current research on the factors that influence young people’s “withdrawal from nature” and also provided inspiration for better establishing the connection between young people and nature.

show abstract

“…Unfortunately, opportunities for children’s free outdoor play have been greatly reduced in recent decades [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. This evolution is closely linked to rapid changes in society.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This has effectively led to a safer society supported by statistics showing a decline in child accidents (i.e., traffic accident, falls, drowning, suffocating, etc.) over recent years [ 1 , 11 ]. However, some authors have warned that overly restrictive measures might be counterproductive and may not allow children to develop fully [ 6 , 9 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parental Assessment of Benefits and of Dangers Determines Children’s Permission to Play Outdoors

Jidovtseff

Pirard

Martin

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

During the early years, children’s outdoor play is dependent on parental supervision. Parents’ perceptions are likely to influence what the child is permitted to do. To better understand the involved mechanisms in parents’ decision making in such contexts, an online photo-based questionnaire was administered. The tool investigates, in different situations, parents and their children’s experience, parents’ perceptions, and permission to play. A total of 417 parents of children aged from 1.5 and 6.0 completed the questionnaire. Results showed that parents, overall, have a positive attitude towards outdoor play. Main concerns were about risk of injury but in most cases, perceived benefits outweigh perceived dangers. “Sawing wood” was the only situation with a negative benefits/dangers balance. A linear regression analysis revealed that permission to play outdoors is based on parental assessment of benefits and dangers. Perceived benefits appeared to have more influence on parental decision than perceived dangers, while perceived competence had only a small influence. The results also showed that parents’ childhood experience of outdoor play was an important determinant for adults’ perceptions, perhaps demonstrating intergenerational concerns, as outdoor play is in decline. To overcome a negative intergenerational effect on children’s outdoor play, interventions and communication should focus on associated benefits.

show abstract

How to encourage parents to let children play in nature: Factors affecting parental perception of children's nature play

Cited by 13 publications

References 36 publications

A Study on the Characteristics of Children’s Natural Activities in the Neighborhood and Their Influencing Factors: Evidence from Hangzhou, China

A Study on the Characteristics of Children’s Natural Activities in the Neighborhood and Their Influencing Factors: Evidence from Hangzhou, China

The Relationship between Extensive Application of Technology and “Withdrawal from Nature” of Young People

Parental Assessment of Benefits and of Dangers Determines Children’s Permission to Play Outdoors

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About