Study explores linkages between preschoolers’ biophilia, pro-environmental behaviors and connections to natureBiophilia is the innate affinity of humans to connect with the natural world. While biophilia is theorized to be grounded in human evolution, some research suggests that actual experiences in nature can promote biophilia. Experiencing nature has also been found to foster a stronger sense of connection to the natural world, which plays a crucial role in encouraging environmentally friendly behaviors. Connectedness to nature and pro-environmental behaviors among children are also likely influenced by several parent-related factors. To explore these influences, this preliminary study examined whether preschool children’s biophilia and pro-environmental behaviors were related to their connectedness to nature, frequency of nature exposure, and their parents’ pro-environmental behaviors. The study also investigated changes in these relationships by preschoolers’ age.
This quantitative study was conducted in Italy with 174 parent-child dyads. The children were attending eight different preschools and ranged in age from 24 to 65 months (average age 55 months). Interviews with the children were conducted at their preschool in a private setting. The interviews used an age-appropriate, role-play approach that used puppets to assess preschoolers’ biophilia and pro-environmental behaviors. Data from the interviews were evaluated to calculate a total interview score, biophilia score, and pro-environmental behavior score for each child. Additionally, questionnaires were administered to the preschoolers' parents. The far majority of questionnaires were completed by mothers. The parent questionnaires included three measures: (1) children’s connectedness with nature was assessed with the Connectedness to Nature Index—Parents of Preschool Children (CNI-PPC) to examine children’s enjoyment of nature, empathy for nature, responsibility toward nature, and awareness of nature; (2) parents’ pro-environmental behaviors were assessed with the Italian General Ecological Behaviour Questionnaire; and (3) children’s exposure to nature was measured through reports of the frequency of visits to public parks, beaches, countryside natural areas, and mountain natural areas during the previous month (school activities were excluded). Analysis compared differences in the measured outcomes between younger, middle-aged, and older preschoolers. Analysis also examined the relationships between outcomes within each age group.
Significant differences in the total interview score (combined scores for biophilia and pro-environmental behaviors) were found across age categories, with older preschoolers scoring significantly higher than middle and younger preschoolers. Significant group differences were also observed in pro-environmental behavior scores, with older preschoolers reporting significantly more pro-environmental behaviors than younger preschoolers. However, biophilia scores did not significantly differ between age groups. There were also no significant gender or school-based differences for total interview scores, biophilia scores, or pro-environmental behavior scores. Several significant relationships between the measured outcomes were identified by age group. Within the younger group, children with higher total interview scores were more strongly connected to nature (as reported by parents). Younger preschoolers with a stronger connection to nature had higher biophilia scores and more frequent exposure to nature. Younger preschoolers with a stronger connection to nature also tended to have parents who engaged in more pro-environmental behaviors, although this finding was marginally significant. For middle and older preschoolers, connectedness with nature was more strongly linked to their parents’ engagement in pro-environmental behaviors. The interview scores and other outcomes were not significantly related for middle and older preschoolers. However, among older preschoolers, connectedness with nature was significantly linked to frequency of nature exposure.
Findings of the study offer insight into preschoolers’ biophilia and pro-environmental behaviors, and how they are linked to age, nature exposure, connectedness to nature, and parents’ pro-environmental behaviors. Biophilia did not significantly vary across age groups, which is “consistent with the idea that biophilia is an innate trait grounded in our species’ biology.” On the other hand, age-related differences were found in pro-environmental behaviors, with older children engaging in more pro-environmental behaviors than younger children. This finding may reflect the influence of education and socialization in young children’s development of stewardship behaviors. The researchers conclude that “the findings, while preliminary, highlight the complexity of assessing biophilia, connectedness to nature and pro-environmental behaviors in preschool-aged children, particularly when combining direct (child interviews) and indirect (parental reports) measures.” The researchers recommend that further investigations continue to explore the interactions between direct and indirect measures of biophilia and connectedness to nature. Future studies might also clarify how biophilia and connectedness to nature develop over time and examine how these concepts relate to other factors that may shape environmental attitudes and behavior.
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