Students’ Valued Landscapes and Well-Being

What is it about?

In the context of landscape, both the natural environment and the built environment can be linked with human health and well-being. This connection has been studied among adults, but no research has been conducted on young people. To fill this gap, this case study aimed to elucidate students’ views on landscapes worth conserving and the landscapes that affect and support their well-being.

Featured Image

Photo by Filip on Unsplash

Photo by Filip on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Therapeutic landscape research suggests that outdoor spaces can support people’s well-being. In teaching and learning situations, students’ well-being can also be promoted by using outdoor education. Direct contact with nature is important because it provides physical and psychological benefits. It affects, for example, young people’s motor skills and has a positive effect on their happiness and well-being. It may increase their emotional affinity for nature and promote understanding of their connection to and impact on the environment. It positively affects their mental, emotional and social health outcomes, such as their sense of achievement, self-confidence and self-esteem. It supports adaptation to different learning styles, skills in caring and nurturing, connectedness to others, feelings of freedom and creativity and feelings of stress relief and engagement in school. Researchers have also reported possible benefits for some aspects of young people’s learning motivation. Additionally, direct contact with nature may affect children’s and adults’ behaviours, having the most critical influence on later attitudes towards the environment.