Environmental perception refers to how an individual experiences the physical and sociocultural aspect of the environment. How these aspects are experienced, however, depends upon the individual's actions, motives, attitudes, and cognitive processes. Related research indicates that how the environment is experienced influences what individuals do in the environment. This research, however, has focused primarily on adults versus children.
This study examined the experiences of the neighborhood environment from the perspective of children to gain a better understanding of features children prefer as they walk and play outdoors. Parents of children (age 8 – 12) were contacted through social networking and education gatherings in Starkville, Mississippi. Starkville is a small town in a rural area of the state. Most of the Starkville families live in suburban neighborhoods. Research packets, including a printed survey and a disposable camera, were mailed to interested parents. Of the 85 packets sent, 49 were returned, indicating a response rate of 49%.
A questionnaire included in the research package collected demographic information about the children, their walking/cycling behavior, and their perceptions of their neighborhood's walking and playing environment. A page of instructions asked children to take five to ten pictures of features they found interesting or attractive as they walked through their neighborhood with an accompanying parent. The children were also asked to write brief comments explaining why they found the selected features attractive and to note the location of the features.
Many of the children's photos depicted elements of nature, with more than a third showing woods, trees and other vegetation. The children found wooded areas to be especially attractive. They liked the woods because they were “peaceful” and “beautiful”. They also liked the woods for the wildlife, the aesthetic properties of the plants, and as a place to play with friends. Water was another popular neighborhood feature, with children indicating that they enjoyed the aesthetic qualities of creeks, ponds, and lakes. They also enjoyed the wildlife in and around the water features. For walking and playing, children looked for places that were safe. Wide, scenic streets were perceived as being more attractive and safer than streets with lots of cars. While children enjoyed playgrounds and sports fields, they also liked such unstructured places as trails, train tracks, and drainage areas.
This research is consistent with previous studies indicating that children enjoy interacting with nature. This research also highlights the importance of addressing children's nature-related preferences in the design and management of neighborhood features.
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