Contact with Nature in Green Schoolyards

Abstract

Green schoolyards often provide one of the few opportunities for children to play outdoors. The aim of this study is to investigate the influences of schoolyard characteristics and children’s age on their contact with nature in green schoolyards. The researchers conducted 71 observations at three schools with green schoolyards in small towns in southern Germany, with students between 6 and 16 years of age. Analysis of the observations indicate that younger children tend to have more contact with nature on the schoolyard and make different use of green areas both in and outside the schoolyard than older children. Additionally, the study found that specific functional features of green schoolyards have a positive or negative impact on children’s contact with nature.