Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Wanda Lauer

Abstract

Background: Many children, especially those living in urban areas, are spending less time in nature than ever before which is decreasing their engagement in meaningful occupations such as sleep, play, education, social participation, and activities of daily living. Interacting with nature can improve children’s emotional regulation, development, attention span, mental health, and overall well-being. It is important that children have access to nature and its benefits to ensure they are reaching their full potential in life. One method to improve children’s access to nature is providing them with nature-based activities that can be modified or adapted for those living in urban areas and that they can complete with their caregivers, friends, and family members in their home environment. Many children would benefit from the facilitation of nature-based activities in their everyday lives.

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to increase children’s interactions with nature and improve their engagement in their meaningful occupations through the use of nature-based activities that can be modified and adapted for children living in urban areas.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using online databases such as PubMed, EBSCOHost, CINHAL, Google Scholar and OTSearch. The Ecology of Human Performance (EHP) model was used throughout the entire process of this scholarly project.

Conclusion: Children can receive many benefits from interacting with nature on a regular basis. However, they need the resources and access to nature to be able to obtain the positive effects nature has to offer. Explore the Outdoors: A Home Programming Toolkit was created to improve children’s connection with nature and engagement in their meaningful occupations.

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