The contributions of familial and environmental factors to children’s connection with nature and outdoor activities

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the current study was to examine the associations between child characteristics (i.e. gender, age, enjoying outdoor) and familial characteristics (i.e. parent education and income), and Turkish children’s biophilia (innate tendency to connect with nature). In addition, the current study also attempted to examine the association between the biophilia and the parent-reported importance of nature and outdoor. A total of 238 children (129 girls) aged 49 months to 80 months (M= 67.50, SD = 6.83) and parents were recruited for the current study in Turkey. Path analyses showed that parents’ importance of children’s outdoor and nature connection was significant predictor of children’s biophilia. In addition, child biophilia and parent education significantly predicted importance of being in nature. Children’s biophilia and importance of nature and outdoor activities differed depending on parent education level, favouring higher education levels. Implications of the study are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Biophilia
• preschool children
• nature
• outdoor activities
• Turkish children

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Dr. Emine Ahmetoglu is an associate professor in Department of Early Chilhood Education at Trakya University, Turkey. Her research interests is developing intervention programs for inclusive education in early chilhood. She also studies how parents and teachers influence children's conntection with nature and outdoor play; in return, how this connection contributes to child outcomes including social and academic competences.