Growing Minds: The Relationship Between Parents' Attitudes about Nature and the Development of Fine and Gross Motor Skills in Children

Research indicates that adults associate their childhood with playing outdoors, most often in natural settings. Research has found that free play is valuable to child development.  Children tend to use outdoor play areas in more physically active ways, and time spent outdoors relates positively to increased physical activity in children. However, children today are spending an increasing amount of time indoors rather than outdoors.  Recent research has shown that the amount of time children spend in outdoor play is directly related to parental concerns of their children being exposed to outdoor hazards.  The purpose of this project was to investigate the relationship between parents’ attitudes toward natural settings and the development of fine and gross motor skills in young children. The sample for this study was drawn from parents of children ages 3-5 enrolled at one of two university Child Development Centers.  The assessment tool used was composed of sections that ask parents about their attitudes toward nature, about their young children spending time outdoors, how much time their children actually spend in outdoor activities, and standard demographic questions.  Data on motor development was collected by the individual childcare centers.  Data were entered into and analyzed using SPSS. Statistical comparisons included Pearson product-moment correlations and ANOVA tests.  Results from the study will help better develop an understanding of the importance of outdoor play for children, and help horticulturalists justify their product in a time of harsh economic concerns.