Comparing Nature Experience in Childhood by Age Group and Suggesting Ways to Give Children Exposure to Nature

Abstract

This paper investigated 20 cases of increase and decrease in nature experiences in childhood, in subjects ranging from their teen to their 60's. Based on this investigation, we examined the best ways to achieve nature experiences for children in the future. Overall, there has been a tendency for nature experiences to decrease among younger subjects, but a more detailed analysis reveals 5 basic categories: (1) a large decrease; (2) a small decrease; (3) a small increase; (4) polarization; and (5) gender differences. Regarding the best ways to give children more exposure to nature in the future, we suggest first improvement of nearby natural environments, then complementing childcare with natural experiences and finally stressing the role of the adults in the children's environment.