Growing Up Near Parks and Woodland Boosts a Child's Memory and Thinking Skills

Growing up near parks and woodland 'boosts a child's memory and thinking skills', study reveals

• Children living near parks or woodland were found to be a year ahead in their mental development than those who had no green space nearby
• Same effect found in children living near 'blue spaces' - lakes or the sea
• Has positive effect on childrens' memory and thinking skills, study found

By Colin Fernandez, Science Correspondent

Published: 12:31 GMT, 16 June 2015 | Updated: 13:26 GMT, 16 June 2015

 

 

Growing up with green spaces around helps children's mental development, scientists have found.

Children who live near parks, gardens or woodland or go to schools surrounded by greenery were found to be a year ahead in their mental development over children without green spaces near their home.

The researchers based in Barcelona found the same effect was true for children aged 7-10 living nearby 'blue spaces' – lakes, reservoirs or the sea.

Previous research has found that being close to foliage and vegetation is linked with better mental health in adults – but the research in primary school children was 'inadequate.'

Researchers in Barcelona discovered children who grew up near parks, gardens and woodland were around a year head in their mental development than those who had no green spaces near their homes

The researchers tested 2,500 schoolchildren for attentiveness and two measures of memory, excluding children with special educational needs.

They then used satellite data to compute how much green or blue space was near their homes.

Taking into consideration social class, they found that the children growing up amid leaves, trees and flowers were 12 months more advanced in their mental development.

The authors estimated that between 20-65 per cent of the effect of improved thinking skills was explained by less atmospheric pollution in green areas.

The link between exposure to greenery or water was not explained by the wealth or status of the child's family, the authors said.  

Our findings suggest a beneficial impact of green space exposure on cognitive development, with part of this effect resulting from buffering against such urban environmental pollutants 

One of the authors, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, said: 'Our study showed a beneficial association between exposure to green space and cognitive development among schoolchildren that was partly mediated by reduction in exposure to air pollution.'

He added: 'We found little or no evidence of a role of socioeconomic status for the relationship of green space and cognitive development.'

Led by Dr Payam Dadvand, from the Centre for Research and Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona, the researchers wrote: 'Approximately one half of the world population lives in cities, and it is projected that by 2030, three of every five persons will live in urban areas worldwide.

'Urban areas are characterised by a network of non-natural built-up infrastructures with increased pollutant levels and less green environments. 

'Children's exposure to these pollutants such as air pollution and noise has been associated with detrimental impacts on their cognitive development. 

'Our findings suggest a beneficial impact of green space exposure on cognitive development, with part of this effect resulting from buffering against such urban environmental pollutants.'

Green spaces also help reduce air pollution which is known to impede children's mental development

Green spaces also help reduce air pollution which is known to impede children's mental development.

In addition, access to parks and forests can incite 'risk taking, discovery, creativity, mastery and control' strengthen the sense of self and inspire emotional states including 'a sense of wonder', the authors say.

Other possibilities include exposing children to a wider variety of microbes – germs- in green areas, and providing more opportunities to exercise. The research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Dr Ross Cameron, a lecturer in ecology at the University of Sheffield, said other factors not included in the study such as parents' mental health – need to be accounted for, as mental health problems are more common in urban areas.