What are the Benefits of School Gardens and Greenspace? What the Research Says

• Nature-Based Learning (NBL) is helping children learn through the use of nature, both indoors and outdoors.  

• A comprehensive book on the topic is “Let Nature Be Your Teacher: Integrating Nature-Based Learning in the Elementary Classroom” by Ammentorp & Corveleyn (2025)

  • • This book is available to borrow through the Bloom front office for both parents and teachers!

• Review article on how using nature helps promote children's learning outcomes:

  • •  “Do Experiences with Nature Promote Learning” by Kuo, Barnes, & Jordan *2019)

      • https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00305/full

Many research studies demonstrate how outdoor learning can benefit Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in elementary school students.  SEL includes improving children's confidence, self-awareness, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Lohr et al (2020) conducted a review of 8 studies and found that school garden programs promoted children's social and emotional well-being.

• Lohr, A. M., Krause, K. C., McClelland, D. J., Van Gorden, N., Gerald, L. B., Del Casino, V., … Carvajal, S. C. (2020). The impact of school gardens on youth social and emotional learning: a scoping review. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 21(4), 371–384. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2020.1838935

In a qualitative study of “green schoolyards”, young children playing during recess in woods adjacent to school, older elementary students engaging in language arts and science study in a natural area, and high school students involved in gardening demonstrated multiple benefits, including lower stress, increased self-discipline and sense of competence, and more cohesive social groups.

Chawla, L., Keena, K., Pevec, I., & Stanley, E. (2014). Green schoolyards as havens from stress and resources for resilience in childhood and adolescence. Health & place, 28, 1–13. 

• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2014.03.001

Several systematic reviews have found that exposure to green spaces is related to better cognitive health in children, particularly in a reduction of inattention and hyperactivity; McCormick’s (2017) review found that children’s access to green space was associated with better cognitive development, memory, and higher standardized test scores, as well as lower ADHD symptoms and behaviors. Due to these myriad benefits, McCormick (2017) advocates for green spaces at school and increased outdoor play. 

McCormick R. (2017). Does Access to Green Space Impact the Mental Well-being of Children: A Systematic Review. Journal of pediatric nursing, 37, 3–7.

• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2017.08.027

In a Dutch study of 345,000 patients’ electronic medical records, proximity to green space was related to fewer physical and psychiatric diagnoses. Anxiety and depression were most reduced, especially for children and lower socioeconomic groups. 

• Maas, J., Verheij, R. A., de Vries, S., Spreeuwenberg, P., Schellevis, F. G., & Groenewegen, P. P. (2009). Morbidity is related to a green living environment. Journal of epidemiology and community health, 63(12), 967–973.

•  https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2008.079038 

Useful research review of evidence on the positive impact of nature on mental health:

• Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M. G., Cochran, B., de Vries, S., Flanders, J., Folke, C., Frumkin, H., Gross, J. J., Hartig, T., Kahn, P. H., Jr, Kuo, M., Lawler, J. J., Levin, P. S., Lindahl, T., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Mitchell, R., Ouyang, Z., Roe, J., Scarlett, L., … Daily, G. C. (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science advances, 5(7), eaax0903.

  •  https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax0903