Short-Term Effects of an Outdoor Activities Intervention on Children's Stress, Socio Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Regulation Skills
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| Title: | Short-Term Effects of an Outdoor Activities Intervention on Children's Stress, Socio Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Regulation Skills |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Tamara Bastianello (ORCID |
| Source: | Early Education and Development. 2025 36(3):724-743. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 20 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Program Effectiveness, Stress Management, Self Control, Child Behavior, Toddlers, Infants, Child Care Centers, Physiology, Emotional Response, Recreational Activities, Environmental Influences, Playgrounds, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | Italy |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10409289.2024.2423387 |
| ISSN: | 1040-9289 1556-6935 |
| Abstract: | Research Findings: In recent years, interest has grown in the potential benefits of outdoor activities (OA) for children's development, particularly in promoting socioemotional, behavioral, and cognitive regulation skills and reducing stress. However, empirical evidence on the effects of OA programs for children in the first three years of life on these outcomes still needs to be provided. To address this gap, our study involved 95 infants and toddlers (girls = 48, M[subscript age] = 23.3 months) attending child care centers in north and south Italy and their teachers. Participants were divided into two groups: the Outdoor group (n = 55), actively involved in the OA program for four months, and the Control group (n = 40), who followed the standard curriculum. We assessed the children's cortisol levels and emotional, behavioral, and cognitive regulation skills before (T1) and after (T2) the implementation of the OA intervention. After the 4-month intervention, improvements in the children's adaptive behavior (particularly in social interaction) and cognitive-behavioral regulation skills were observed only in the Outdoor group. Children's stress levels remained stable. Practice or Policy: Our findings show the benefits of daily OA on young children's self-regulation, suggesting to schools and families that increasing OA from the first years of life may support cognitive and social growth. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1499565 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Research Findings: In recent years, interest has grown in the potential benefits of outdoor activities (OA) for children's development, particularly in promoting socioemotional, behavioral, and cognitive regulation skills and reducing stress. However, empirical evidence on the effects of OA programs for children in the first three years of life on these outcomes still needs to be provided. To address this gap, our study involved 95 infants and toddlers (girls = 48, M[subscript age] = 23.3 months) attending child care centers in north and south Italy and their teachers. Participants were divided into two groups: the Outdoor group (n = 55), actively involved in the OA program for four months, and the Control group (n = 40), who followed the standard curriculum. We assessed the children's cortisol levels and emotional, behavioral, and cognitive regulation skills before (T1) and after (T2) the implementation of the OA intervention. After the 4-month intervention, improvements in the children's adaptive behavior (particularly in social interaction) and cognitive-behavioral regulation skills were observed only in the Outdoor group. Children's stress levels remained stable. Practice or Policy: Our findings show the benefits of daily OA on young children's self-regulation, suggesting to schools and families that increasing OA from the first years of life may support cognitive and social growth. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1040-9289 1556-6935 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10409289.2024.2423387 |
