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Today’s story comes from Good News Network.
Spending Time in the Great Outdoors Helps Children with Mental Health Issues, Says New Study
It’s new news, old news, and news that can never be repeated too often: spending time in nature reduces emotional distress among troubled 10-—to 12-year-olds.
The Canadian researchers behind the new study say their findings suggest that an inexpensive school-based, nature-born program may help the most vulnerable youngsters.
Canadian researchers discovered that spending two hours a week of class time in a natural environment can reduce emotional distress among child participants who had the most significant mental health problems before the program began.
The research, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, follows the recent publication of a UNICEF report pointing to the importance of green space for children’s development.
The Canadian team looked at the effects of spending time in nature on the behavior and mental health symptoms of more than 500 schoolchildren across Quebec in the spring of 2023.
“The idea for the project came up during the pandemic when people were worried about the health risks of children spending so much time inside the school each day,” said study senior author Professor Marie-Claude Geoffroy of McGill University.
They found that at the end of three months, teachers noted that the most significant changes in behavior occurred in children with the most important problems at the outset. These included anxiety and depression, aggressivity and impulsivity, and social issues relating to interaction with their peers.
Interviews with the teachers following the program also suggested that children were calmer, relaxed, and attentive in class after spending time in nature.
“This suggests that nature-based programs may offer targeted benefits for children with higher levels of mental health vulnerabilities and potentially act as an equalizer of mental health among school-age children,” co-author Professor Sylvana Côté from the University of Montreal added.
The research builds on earlier observational studies but is the first to use a randomized controlled trial—the gold standard of medical research—to provide concrete information about the benefits to children of spending time in nature.
All the schools involved in the study were within a mile of a park or green space, and half of the children stayed in school while a similar number took part in the nature-based intervention.
“My kids and I spend lots of time in parks, so I’ve seen the benefits of spending time in nature, both for myself and them,” added Professor Geoffrey. “So, I thought maybe we can have a free and accessible intervention where school children can spend time in nature, and we can measure the effects this has on their mood and behavior.”
During the two hours they spent in the park each week, teachers were asked to offer regular classes in math, languages, or science.
They were also asked to incorporate a 10—to 15-minute activity to promote mental health, using examples drawn from a teachers’ kit designed by the research team.
The activities included drawing a tree, writing haikus, and mindful walking.
Study first author Tianna Loose, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Montreal, added that the intervention was low-cost, well-received, and posed no risks, making it a promising strategy for schools.
The good news here is something we all could have guessed, but it is now a matter of science. Today’s JohnKu talks about intuition. I hope you have a glorious weekend.
Our Gut by John W. Howell © 2024
If we listen well,
Our intuition gives gifts . . .
Be thankful for that.
Fiction Favorites 
This is not surprising. Time outdoors is good for all of us.
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It sure is, Darlene. Thanks.
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Very interesting news, John! So it’s not enough to bring nature into the classrooms. Best wishes, Michael
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Nope. The kids have to go out in it. Thanks, Michael.
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Nature is capable of healing herself, so it doesn’t surprise me that she can heal humans.
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A great point, GP. Thanks.
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It’s wonderful that research has confirmed what we’ve known to be true experientially! Since the advent of the Internet Age, I’ve been concerned that children lack a connection to nature.
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I share your concern, Liz.
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Great. Now if only the great outdoors would be more accommodating and stop trying to give us frostbite here.
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Ha ha ha. You had your chance in the 90 degree heat.
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We were out there then. Suffered in other ways.
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Yes I can imagine.
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This is such a cool idea. I envision Socrates at an outdoor amphitheater teaching his classes.
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A great vision, Craig. I’ll bet right on the mark. Thanks.
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This is a fine example of scientists catching up with something educators and parents have known for years. That’s not a criticism, just an acknowledgement that their conclusions are on target, and perhaps will serve to encourage people who haven’t experienced the positive value of time in nature for themselves.
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Well said, Linda. Thanks
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I’m with Darlene – time outdoors is beneficial to everyone.
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I agree.
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I agree wholeheartedly with this. Nature heals! Thanks, John!
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Thank you. Jan.
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This makes sense to me. It’s good that their study came up with it.
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I agree, Tim. Adds some credibility to what we all feel. I hoe you have a great weekend.
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I love this, and I hope the study inspires more schools to include time in nature for kids. And I like that the program included “mindful walking.” So the kids can have time away from lectures and assignments and simply be there.
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I love to mindful walk myself. Thanks, Dave. I agree with you.
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This seems like such a no-brainer, but glad to see it is working. Goes back to our parents sending us outside to play. You cannot beat the great outdoors–Mother Nature does know best. 🌳🌼
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I agree, Lois. I remember the question. “What are you doing in here on such a beautiful day?”
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I completely agree. We kids used to be outside all the time before the age of cell phones and computers and were much healthy for it. It’s surprising that you now have to SCHEDULE time for your kids to be outside.
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It does seem ridiculous to schedule time for nature.
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Yup. At least my kids are more spontaneous with theirs, and spend time in parks and outside all the time..
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That is a good thing.
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Wonderful ‘good news’, John. When we were kids, we all lived outside most of the time. Even now, I escape into nature. It is my relief and my hope. Loved your JohnKu! 🌞
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Thank you, Gwen. As a kid I don’t believe I spent more that a half hour in the house during the day. 😁
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HI John, being outside and having contact with nature is very important for all people, young and old. It is sad that a programme is needed for children to have something that should be part of their everyday lives.
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Kids are too busy with the superfluous these days. Thanks, Robbie.
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I am glad they are researching this and finding it does help kids to be in nature. I think it’s what we all need 🙂
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I agree. The research confirms what we should be doing.
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This is such a reaffirming study that truly is a model for schools to aspire to. Thanks for sharing John. I’ve been missing the boys, were you on break?
💕
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The boys??? I have not been on a break. Are my posts not getting to you?
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Thank you for this, John. I’ve often thought that the mental health of young people would be tied to their access to nature: the less access they have, the greater challenges to their mental health. I hope more projects develop from this one.
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I agree, Marie. I think nature heals. Thank you.
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Being outdoors does wonders for mental health. So many youngsters can benefit from it. Have a lovely weekend, John.
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Thank you, Esther. I hope you have a lovely weekend as well.
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You know, this really doesn’t surprise me. I come from the generation whose parents insisted we “go outside and play” every chance we got, and we didn’t suffer for that. Today’s poor kiddos are glued to their devices … to their mental, physical, and emotional detriment. (Oops, I’ll slink off my soapbox now!)
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You are so right, Debbie. Kids should be out exploring not squinting at a screen.
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I am thrilled to know something like this is being utilized… with any luck, more and more Countries and communities will follow suit!
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I hope so, Annette. I think our kids are in danger and this solution seems so simple.
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It worked wonders for my two while I was homeschooling them. We’d do school at the park quite often then play afterwards, and my son loved reading up in our Ash tree in the backyard. He and his cat would read and daydream up in the tree for hours. It also increased the number of books he read.
I hope more and more schools adopt spending more time outdoors.
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It sounds like they had a wonderful Childhood.
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This one has me cheering! Seems a no-brainer however it is helpful to have some solid evidence supporting the benefits of nature and there have been some recent books written about the troubling nature deficit in children’s lives. Thank you for this share, John. 🌳
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It does seem like a no brainer for sure. Thanks for your informative comment, Michele. 🥦
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I’ve read about ventures such as this one and it does make sense. It’s a mental field trip of sorts.
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Yup and good for the health
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My experiences with children support the notion that it’s beneficial for children to work outdoors. When possible, I tried to come up with some form of discipline that included working outside such as picking up trash or sweeping the sidewalk. Not only do kids contribute something positive that way, but you begin to change the narrative of how children see themselves.
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I agree. I’ll bet they had a good time too. Thanks, Pete.
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LOVE this story! I think Professor Geoffrey was totally on to something. Nature makes vulnerable young and old alike feel better. It’s exactly why my walks with the dogs are so critical to mental health. I’m convinced everyone needs to ‘take 5’ outdoors multiple times a day. We’d all feel better and be happier.
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I ride a bike and can agree with your conclusions about the benefits to outdoor activity.
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Good for you! A good outing does wonder for the soul (and the body).
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The body is beyond wonders but the soul is always ready for a ride.
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Thanks for sharing this positivity, John. Hugs.
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I think we all need to view the world as positively as possible. Thanks, Teagan.
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I agree that scientific studies of things we could have all guessed are valuable. Evidence is much better than a guess or a gutfeeling. So many people make comments like “we did not need a study for that….” about studies of things we all could have guessed. But sometimes studies have surprises in store, so do them.
Anyway, it is not surprise. I grew up in northern Sweden, which is very sparsely populated, like Alaska I guess, and I spent a lot of time in the forest as a kid. I remember that very fondly.
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I can imagine youer childhood would have fond memories in the place you described. I grew up in Detroit Michigan in the city. I too have fond memories of spending the days outside. It was just a different kind of forest.
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An urban forest I guess. My forest was filled with witches, trolls and tigers, all imagined but I can imagine your’s was dangerous for real.
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We never thought so but yes in retrospect it was quite dangerous.
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Interesting how humans need studies and reports to to tell us what we already know in our guts.
Your JohnKu reminds us , we have our animal instincts to help guide us.
Shut your phone off, and go for a walk in the park, or the art gallery.
🌳𝔁 🎨𝔁
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So wise you are cricket. 🌴🪵
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OX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8E_zMLCRNg
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Ha ha ha. Thanks.
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The benefits cannot be overstated. Sleepover camp every summer for a month will always be great memories, as will vacations to the beach.
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I agree. I went to camp each summer and as a Detroit city boy, I loved it.
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😀
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Not at all surprising. Getting off their cell phones would also do wonders for mental health.
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