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Prepared by: Kayla McCartney, Fall 2023
In recent years, an increasing body of research has been compiled highlighting the healing benefits of the outdoors.
In recent years, an increasing body of research has been compiled highlighting the healing benefits of the outdoors.
Interaction with nature and social engagement have both been proven to play a role in physical and mental well-being. Landscapes help to foster these benefits for parents and children by being spaces for children to play creatively as well as spaces for caregivers to take a mental break while bonding with their children.
Interaction with nature and social engagement have both been proven to play a role in physical and mental well-being. Landscapes help to foster these benefits for parents and children by being spaces for children to play creatively as well as spaces for caregivers to take a mental break while bonding with their children.
The use of natural materials such as boulders and logs in children's playgrounds can lead to open-ended play opportunities that exercise both mind and body.
Image Source: https://live.staticflickr.com/4499/37340919670_40808380ce_b.jpg
Image Source: https://live.staticflickr.com/4499/37340919670_40808380ce_b.jpg
The Importance of Child-Driven Play
The Importance of Child-Driven Play
Play is essential for healthy brain development in children. One important type of play is child-driven play. In child driven play, children are able to "practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue." When adults join in and allow their child to be in charge when playing with them, this lets their child know they are paying attention to them. It also allows the caregiver to understand their child's viewpoint more clearly. (Ginsburg et al. 2007)
Parent-Child Landscapes
Parent-Child Landscapes
The design of parent-child landscapes should focus on being interesting and fun for children while providing opportunities for caregivers to join in and play with them. This helps to strengthen parent-child communication. (Jie and Wang 2013)
It's important to provide opportunities not only for the caregiver to play with their child, but also to let them "allow and witness their children making decisions and taking risks." (Washington et al. 2019)
Some examples of parent-child landscapes are facility areas such as game areas, climbing walls, and parent-child swings. There are DIY areas such as graffiti walls or music-making areas. Home garden or sensory plant experience areas allow for both curiosity and relaxation. Finally, open fields for spontaneous ball games are also good for parent- child interactions. (Jie and Wang 2013)
Parenting Stress and the Environment
Parenting Stress and the Environment
Parenting can be extremely stressful because it adds an entirely new set of social reproduction needs to life which is already stressful. However, high levels of parenting stress have been linked to behavioral problems in children. The state of mind of the caregiver deeply affects the state of mind of the child. (Barroso et al. 2018)
A way to relieve stress is exposure to the natural environment. It's important for parents to seek support and take measures to relieve stress such as accessing and enjoying green spaces. (Yao et al. 2021)
Visiting green spaces with their children is a great way for caregivers to not only relieve stress but also develop their relationships with their children.
Sources:
Sources:
Barroso, Nicole E et al. “Parenting Stress through the Lens of Different Clinical Groups: a Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis.” Journal of abnormal child psychology vol. 46,3 (2018): 449-461. doi:10.1007/s10802-017-0313-6
Ginsburg, Kenneth R., et al. “The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds.” Pediatrics, vol. 119, no. 1, American Academy of Pediatrics, Jan. 2007, pp. 182–91, doi:10.1542/peds.2006-2697.
Jie, Chen, and Wang Yun. “Research on the Parent-Child Landscape Design of Baxter Park in the UK.” Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University (Agricultural Science), vol. 31, no. 6, Dec. 2013.
Washington, Tracy L., et al. “Fostering Social Sustainability Through Intergenerational Engagement in Australian Neighborhood Parks.” Sustainability, vol. 11, no. 16, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, Aug. 2019, p. 4435, doi:10.3390/su11164435.
Yao, Wenfei, et al. “The Effect of Exposure to the Natural Environment on Stress Reduction: A Meta-analysis.” Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, vol. 57, Elsevier BV, Jan. 2021, p. 126932, doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126932.
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