More than a pretty place: assessing the impact of environmental education on children's knowledge and attitudes about outdoor play in nature. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2015 Feb 12;12(2):2054-70
Date
02/17/2015Pubmed ID
25685953Pubmed Central ID
PMC4344710DOI
10.3390/ijerph120202054Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84922822111 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 13 CitationsAbstract
Our work assessed the influence of an urban environmental education program on children's attitudes toward outdoor play, as well as knowledge of neighborhood features that can facilitate this type of activity. The project team engaged 6 schools near the newest Urban Ecology Center location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, through a community-academic partnership entitled More Than a Pretty Place. Intervention classrooms participated in programming over the 2012-2013 academic year and pre and post surveys were implemented in classrooms. Data were analyzed using multilevel regression models. The intervention group reported reduced fears of outdoor play in nature and increased frequency of visits to the Urban Ecology Center. The proportion of students who acknowledged knowing of a place to play outside in nature increased significantly in both groups. Our findings indicate an important role for environmental education in addressing fears that may dissuade children from engaging in outdoor play in natural areas.
Author List
Beyer KM, Heller EF, Bizub JM, Kistner AJ, Szabo A, Shawgo EE, Zetts CJAuthors
Kirsten M. Beyer PhD, MPH Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of WisconsinAniko Szabo PhD Professor in the Data Science Institute department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AttitudeChild
Conservation of Natural Resources
Environment
Female
Humans
Male
Play and Playthings
Residence Characteristics
Schools
Students
Surveys and Questionnaires
Wisconsin
