Parenting strategies increased young children’s opportunities to experience nature and play outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemicThe COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the daily routines of families and also impacted opportunities for children’s outdoor play. The purpose of this study was to explore the strategies used by parents/caregivers during COVID-19 restrictions to allow their pre-school aged children to play outdoors and experience natural environments. Researchers applied the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory as an analytical framework to improve understanding of parent responses to COVID-19 restrictions that enabled their young children to gain outdoor and nature experiences.
The study occurred soon after peak COVID-19 restrictions in the U.K., during which Early Care and Education Centers (ECEC) and playgrounds were closed, greatly reducing children’s typical opportunities for play. Researchers combined data sets from two studies. In study 1, interviews were conducted with 20 parents of preschool children (age 3-4 years) in England between July and August 2020. In study 2, parents in Scotland with at least one child aged 2 to 5 years were recruited to take an online survey between October and December 2020. The survey, completed by 77 parents, consisted of an open-ended question which asked parents to report changes in their child’s outdoor play habits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both studies collected demographic information, which indicated that participants were mostly mothers, white, and highly educated.
Across both studies, analysis revealed specific considerations that affected parents’ ability to provide outdoor and nature experiences for their children, such as working from home, government-subsidized time off work, self-isolation, and the availability of a car. The physical environment influenced parents’ ability to engage children in outdoor activities. Those with access to local green space, such as parks or a private garden/yard, or who lived in rural areas, reported spending more time outdoors than prior to the pandemic. Findings related to the social environment indicated that while peer interactions decreased, outdoor time as a family increased. Parents used the outdoors to compensate for the lack of indoor activities and found new or creative ways to encourage outdoor play. With playgrounds closed, children spent more time in nature. Once restrictions were eased, parents reported increased engagement with public parks and playgrounds to encourage social interaction. While most parents indicated that children spent more time in nature and engaged in more outdoor activities compared to pre-pandemic, especially among rural families, there were instances where children spent less time playing outdoors. Parents felt that reduced outdoor/play time negatively impacted behavior and sleep. Despite general increases in outdoor time, parents felt their children were less physically active overall. Parents also indicated that nature experiences helped their children overcome the pandemic’s negative impacts on social-emotional development and mental health.
Researchers identified eight strategies parents used to facilitate outdoor play: (1) Using hand sanitizers after touching play equipment, (2) Understanding the benefits of outdoor nature play, (3) Exploring nearby nature as a family in place of indoor activities, (4) Planning outdoor activities as a family or for children only, (5) Purchasing new outdoor equipment to encourage play, (6) Visiting public parks and playgrounds as they reopened, (7) Using family members’ or neighbors’ garden space when restrictions were lessened, and (8) Incorporating outdoor activities offered by childcare providers. Additionally, parenting strategies that hindered outdoor play were also identified: (1) Reducing outdoor time in busy parks, (2) Minimizing outdoor experiences during inclement weather, and (3) Avoiding adopting new outdoor activities during COVID restrictions.
Findings suggest that children had more opportunities to experience nature and play outdoors as a result of the pandemic restrictions and parenting practices which facilitated engagement with nature. However, this finding may be associated with the socio-economic status of the study participants and does not reflect “the views of those with lack of access to green space and financial means to engage children in outdoor and nature experiences.” Nonetheless, the study highlights the dynamic factors which influence parenting strategies and their impacts on young children’s outdoor and nature experiences. Findings may also inform outdoor play policies and initiatives to promote equitable access to parks and nature.
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