Healthy Places, Sustainable Spaces

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Originally appears in the Summer 2022 issue.

By Gillian Petrini

A primary classroom full of toys and art materials, a middle school outdoor field trip to nearby nature, a child care program where lunch is being served — all these settings have an impact on children’s well-being. The environments where children learn, play, and grow influence children’s overall health and well-being. In fact, they can affect a child’s health trajectory for life. Many children spend six or more hours within education settings, whether a school, child care program, or other early learning environment, so it is critical that the quality of these settings is optimal. 

The location and design of the physical space, as well as the practices that are used within a learning environment, can all have an impact on children’s health, in positive or negative ways. Time spent in healthy and nurturing environments — which include access to nearby nature and culturally safe, inclusive spaces — can contribute in positive ways to a child’s development and well-being. Nature-based learning and programs that connect children to the land benefit physical, social, emotional, mental, and ecological health, fostering values of stewardship. Conversely, time spent in conditions which are unhealthy, including poor air quality; pesticide use; toxic substances in cleaning products, toys, and furnishings, are harmful to children’s development and can contribute to a variety of adverse health outcomes.