ADHD and Nature. Green Play Settings

Taylor

Attention Restoration Theory suggests that contact with nature supportsattentional functioning, and a number of studies have found contact with everydaynature to be related to attention in adults. Is contact with everyday nature alsorelated to the attentional functioning of children? This question was addressedthrough a study focusing on children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Thisstudy examined the relationship between children’s nature exposure through leisureactivities and their attentional functioning using both within- and between-subjectscomparisons. Parents were surveyed regarding their child’s attentional functioningafter activities in several settings. Results indicate that children function better thanusual after activities in green settings and that the “greener” a child’s play area, theless severe his or her attention deficit symptoms. Thus, contact with nature may supportattentional functioning in a population of children who desperately needattentional support.