LärMiljö (Learning Environment) - study protocol: movement, outdoor learning and well-being in school

Abstract Background Outdoor education (OE) is a teaching method aiming to promote children’s learning, physical activity (PA) and wellbeing. OE in green areas may further increase positive effects. There is little knowledge on use of OE and its possible effects in a Finnish context. Also, there is a need to evaluate OE from a teacher perspective. The aim of the LärMiljö-study is to: a) survey the use of OE in Swedish-language primary schools and investigate factors related to its use; b) investigate the associations between OE and PA, wellbeing, nature relations and learning among children aged 9-13 years, considering other related factors. Methods The self-determination theory (SDT) is used as theoretical framework. Data is collected via electronic surveys in Swedish-language primary schools, including: a) national surveys among principals and teachers; b) surveys among children and guardians. Children’s PA is measured for a 7-day period via accelerometers and a diary is kept. Teachers keep a class diary on OE provided. Academic tests are performed. Data will be analyzed using quantitative methods. Results This abstract describes the study protocol. The investigation of associations between OE and outcomes among children is mainly done by comparing classes that regularly use OE with classes that do not. Main outcomes are PA, psychosocial wellbeing, academic performance and nature connectedness; secondary outcomes are school motivation, social relations and sleep. Teachers’ experience and use of OE is explored, as is perceived effects of and barriers to OE use. Based on SDT, associations between OE and need satisfaction at work, competence, motivation and work engagement are studied. Conclusions The study represents a unique opportunity to explore OE use in primary schools, its effects among children and teachers, and what the supporting and hindering factors for its use are. The study contributes knowledge that can be used to promote learning and wellbeing in school. Key messages • Outdoor education in primary school may promote schoolchildren’s learning, physical activity, wellbeing and nature relation, but more knowledge is needed, including the perspective of teachers. • The LärMiljö-study will broaden the understanding of the potential effects of OE in primary education and school health promotion, and on factors supporting and hindering its use.


Background:
It is well-known that frequent nature visits are associated with health benefits in children. Global climate crisis and environmental challenges emphasize the need for reconnecting children to nature, as well. Young children's nature connectedness (NC) involves enjoyment of nature, sense of responsibility, empathy, and awareness of nature. The study examines whether there is an association between the frequency of parent-child nature visits and young children's NC.

Methods:
The study uses WEB survey data from the Finnish Empowered by Nature project. Respondents, n = 1463, were parents of children aged 2 to 7 years old. NC was assessed by 11-items derived from the NC questionnaire of Sobko et al (2018). Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used and the lowest tertile of NC was used as reference group. Analysis were adjusted for child's age and gender, and highest education of parent.

Results:
Children with moderate (1-2 times a week in previous month) or high (3 times a week or more) frequency of parent-child nature visits were more likely to have strong than weak NC compared to children with low frequency (less than once a week) of adult-child nature visits. Odds ratios (OR) in adjusted models were: moderate frequency 1.67 (1.21-2.32), and high frequency 2.31 (1.67-3.18). The odds of having medium NC compared to weak NC were more likely in moderate frequency compared to low frequency of parentchild nature visits in the adjusted model (OR 1.46; 1.07-2.00).

Conclusions:
The results highlight the importance of parents visiting nature frequently with their children during early childhood. It promotes young children's NC and may further contribute to raising environmentally responsible children.

Key messages:
More frequent parent-child visits promote young children's nature connectedness which involves enjoyment of nature, sense of responsibility, empathy, and awareness of nature. A strong nature connectedness among children is highly relevant, as it may contribute to raise environmentally responsible children.

Background:
Outdoor education (OE) is a teaching method aiming to promote children's learning, physical activity (PA) and wellbeing. OE in green areas may further increase positive effects. There is little knowledge on use of OE and its possible effects in a Finnish context. Also, there is a need to evaluate OE from a teacher perspective. The aim of the LärMiljö-study is to: a) survey the use of OE in Swedish-language primary schools and investigate factors related to its use; b) investigate the associations between OE and PA, wellbeing, nature relations and learning among children aged 9-13 years, considering other related factors.

Methods:
The self-determination theory (SDT) is used as theoretical framework. Data is collected via electronic surveys in Swedishlanguage primary schools, including: a) national surveys among principals and teachers; b) surveys among children and guardians. Children's PA is measured for a 7-day period via accelerometers and a diary is kept. Teachers keep a class diary on OE provided. Academic tests are performed. Data will be analyzed using quantitative methods.

Results:
This abstract describes the study protocol. The investigation of associations between OE and outcomes among children is mainly done by comparing classes that regularly use OE with classes that do not. Main outcomes are PA, psychosocial wellbeing, academic performance and nature connectedness; secondary outcomes are school motivation, social relations and sleep. Teachers' experience and use of OE is explored, as is perceived effects of and barriers to OE use. Based on SDT, associations between OE and need satisfaction at work, competence, motivation and work engagement are studied.

Conclusions:
The study represents a unique opportunity to explore OE use in primary schools, its effects among children and teachers, and what the supporting and hindering factors for its use are.
The study contributes knowledge that can be used to promote learning and wellbeing in school.

Key messages:
Outdoor education in primary school may promote schoolchildren's learning, physical activity, wellbeing and nature relation, but more knowledge is needed, including the perspective of teachers. The LärMiljö-study will broaden the understanding of the potential effects of OE in primary education and school health promotion, and on factors supporting and hindering its use.