As Summer draws to an end and the beginning of school looms in the near future, our children must face the realty of spending less time playing outdoors and more time learning indoors. The traditional way of teaching our youngsters in a schoolroom does not have to be this way. There are multiple studies that prove that exposure to nature and living things is extremely important to children’s mental and physical wellbeing. Children show a deep affective affiliation with natural things. Biophilia, defined as having a love of living things, can be extremely beneficial for children during their most impressionable years

Biophilic design, the deliberate incorporation of elements from nature in the built environment, has wide ranging benefits on mental wellbeing, physical health, and brain function, not to mention improved test scores and increased learning. Playtime environments, such as an outdoor playground, provide children with mental restoration and improved behavior. Health Disorders in children, such as ADD, stress, obesity and depression are attributed to lack of interaction with nature, termed “nature-deficit disorder” by the National Library of Medicine in New Zealand. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5240683/

Despite evidence of the benefits of nature and biophilia on humans, the association of children in natural areas is declining. Many children grow up in urban areas with very little green space to play. Due to increased crime in some of these neighborhoods, some children never leave their backyard or city block due to parental concerns and are discouraged to freely roam and discover the natural world. Moreover, technology might divert children from spending time in accessible natural space. Researchers describe a trend toward “videophilia,” the attraction to electronic media, which might be replacing children’s interest to explore nature and outdoors.

Australian Research Project led by the University of Melbourne provides precise data on the positive impacts of natural ventilation, natural lighting, good acoustics and indoor air quality on both the staff and children. Providing spaces that are open and connected to the outdoors increases mental stimuli, energy, and physical comfort levels and this, in turn, increases cognitive ability, attention and memory levels.

Sensory and motor development have to do with solving problems and interacting with the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Adding sensory elements from the living, natural environment can help inspire curiosity, imagination, and discovery in students of all ages.

Stress and fatigue can be caused by noisy, open-plan classrooms. This can be reduced, and motivation can be enhanced with exposure to nature’s sounds and water patterns. 

Cognitive ability and emotional well-being are increased through nature. Research indicates that cognitive ability and emotional wellbeing can be significantly increased by designing or embedding nature into learning environments.

A decreased ability to focus and ADHD behaviors are all at risk. Classrooms that incorporate biophilic design offer significant benefits to learning, including increased attendance, higher test scores, improved behavior, reduced stress, and increased focus.

To read more about the benefits of Biophilic Design in Schools check out these websites:

https://www.draws.com/biophilic-design-in-the-learning-environment/

https://www.nacarchitecture.com/naclab/biophilia.aspx

https://www.bdcnetwork.com/quaker-high-school-maryland-first-us-get-well-gold-certification

https://mygreenmontgomery.org/2021/putting-science-on-display-the-universities-at-shady-grove-bse-facility/