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The Impact of Time Spent in Natural Outdoor Spaces on Children’s Language, Communication and Social Skills: A Systematic Review Protocol

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  • Steph Scott

    (Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, Coral House, Longbow Close, Shrewsbury SY1 3GZ, UK
    School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Tonia Gray

    (Centre for Educational Research, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Jenna Charlton

    (School of Education, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

  • Sharon Millard

    (Michael Palin Centre for Stammering, 13-15 Pine Street, London EC1R 0JG, UK)

Abstract

There has been increasing interest over the past decade with regard to the health and wellbeing implications of time spent outdoors in nature for children. Universal systematic reviews of evidence report benefits to physical health, social-emotional mental health and wellbeing, cognition and academic learning. Internationally, there is indicative evidence to suggest outdoor engagement with nature may also impact children’s language and communication skills, skills that are critical to development, education, social relationships and life opportunities. Yet, at present such evidence has not been synthesised. Despite evidence for the benefits of the outdoors, the amount of time children are spending outdoors is in rapid decline, and has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside this are increasing numbers of children starting primary education with significant speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) which remain persistent over time. With established wide-reaching benefits of nature to children’s physical and mental health and psychological development, there is a need to further explore the more specific impacts of the natural environment on children’s language, communication and social skills, which could provide a unique opportunity to consider nature as a universal public health intervention for SLCN. The current review will aim to synthesise existing qualitative and quantitative evidence of the impact of time spent in natural outdoor spaces on the language, communication and social skills of 2–11-year-old children. Literature will be searched across seven databases and considered for inclusion against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Potential implications of the review include informing public health practice and policy for child development and education, informing priorities for speech, language, and communication interventions, and providing directions for future international research.

Suggested Citation

  • Steph Scott & Tonia Gray & Jenna Charlton & Sharon Millard, 2022. "The Impact of Time Spent in Natural Outdoor Spaces on Children’s Language, Communication and Social Skills: A Systematic Review Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12038-:d:922999
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Casey Gray & Rebecca Gibbons & Richard Larouche & Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter & Adam Bienenstock & Mariana Brussoni & Guylaine Chabot & Susan Herrington & Ian Janssen & William Pickett & Marlene Powe, 2015. "What Is the Relationship between Outdoor Time and Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Physical Fitness in Children? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Jeff Mann & Tonia Gray & Son Truong & Pasi Sahlberg & Peter Bentsen & Rowena Passy & Susanna Ho & Kumara Ward & Rachel Cowper, 2021. "A Systematic Review Protocol to Identify the Key Benefits and Efficacy of Nature-Based Learning in Outdoor Educational Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-10, January.
    3. Lea Rossi & Nick Behme & Christoph Breuer, 2021. "Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Mariana Brussoni & Rebecca Gibbons & Casey Gray & Takuro Ishikawa & Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter & Adam Bienenstock & Guylaine Chabot & Pamela Fuselli & Susan Herrington & Ian Janssen & William Picket, 2015. "What is the Relationship between Risky Outdoor Play and Health in Children? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-32, June.
    5. Yeasmin, Sabina & Banik, Rajon & Hossain, Sorif & Hossain, Md. Nazmul & Mahumud, Raju & Salma, Nahid & Hossain, Md. Moyazzem, 2020. "Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
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    1. Nicole Rheinheimer & Stefania V. Vacaru & Julie C. van Immerseel & Simone Kühn & Carolina de Weerth, 2024. "Infant Care: Predictors of Outdoor Walking, Infant Carrying and Infant Outdoor Sleeping," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-24, May.

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