Getting Back to the Roots: Parent Attitudes and Nature-Play

This study explored the effect parent attitudes had on children’s nature-play and how children engaged with nature at a nature-based preschool program. Nature-play is when children are playing in and with nature. A convenience sample was drawn from a private liberal arts college children’s center. Questionnaires and interviews were administered to parents and children. Additionally, children were observed at the center for 90 minutes during outdoor play. All parents reported the positive value nature-play had for children, yet parents were outside with children less than twice a week. When parents could not or would not go outside, young children preferred indoor activities to be around the adult