Australian scientists from Griffith University examined the link between exposure to nature and the cognitive abilities of children and adolescents. The study was published in the scientific journal broadcasting Journal of Environmental Psychology (JEP).
Experts analyzed 51 previous articles on the influence of forests, gardens and parks on the mental abilities of children. In total, the study involved 36.9 thousand participants.
Activities for interaction with nature were diverse and included cognitive tasks in nature, walks, games or outdoor activities, virtual interaction with nature (using nature images or sounds produced through technology), among other approaches.
Experiments found that exposure to nature had a small positive effect on cognitive abilities, including improvements in attention and executive function.
Executive cognitive functions are higher-level mental processes that enable people to plan, pay attention, remember instructions, and perform multiple tasks effectively.
The study authors concluded: “Study results support the attention restoration theory, which proposes that prolonged exposure to nature can restore and improve attention and executive functions in children and adolescents.”
Earlier scientists I learnedthat communication with nature increases human self-confidence and sincerity.
What are you thinking?
Source: Gazeta
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