Children who visit parks and playgrounds at least once a week show stronger emotional wellbeing and better-developed social skills, according to research by scientists at the University of Exeter who analysed data from the large-scale British project Children of the 90s, infohub.kz reports.
The project tracked 4,219 children, monitoring their development from birth to age 11 and assessing their social and emotional growth — a concept the authors define as a child's ability to understand their own feelings, control emotions, get along with peers and cope with everyday difficulties.
Children who walked in parks at least once a week scored on average 16.5% higher on mental health tests than those who spent less time in nature. The results held even after accounting for outside factors, including family income and possible difficulties at home. During periods when park visits became more frequent, participants' emotional wellbeing also improved noticeably.
Lead researcher Mark Ferguson noted that open spaces give children room for physical activity and imaginative play, which fosters independence and self-confidence. In early childhood, parks were more often visited by children from wealthier families, but the picture changed as they grew older. The scientists stressed that free public spaces can help narrow inequality in children's development if city authorities ensure such places are accessible and safe for all residents.