ABSTRACT
In the introduction, the authors discuss their journeys, motivation and inspiration for bringing this book together. They briefly summarise the existing body of literature on arts-based and nature-based practices, and they argue that the intersection between the two – arts and nature – and their combined effect on the health and wellbeing of children and young people needs to be explored further. Furthermore, they summarise two key studies that led them to this book: the Eco-capabilities project and a systematic review of arts-in-nature practices on nature connection, health and wellbeing. These studies have shown that arts-in-nature can support children and young people in feeling more connected to nature, understanding environmental issues and exploring ways to prevent environmental disasters, particularly for those who might otherwise remain disinterested in environmental issues and disengaged with educational programmes. The authors’ systematic review has highlighted an additional gap in the literature: the impact of arts-in-nature on health inequalities is currently missing. They consider this a crucial gap given that having access to both arts and nature is a privilege in its own right, and children and young people living in areas of high deprivation are nine times less likely to have access to nature. Finally, they introduce the five research-based and seven practice-based chapters, which draw upon a wide range of practice, incorporating visual arts, music, movement, drama and poetry in a range of natural environments, such as forests, beaches, greenhouses, parks, community areas and school playgrounds. Considering the sharp rise in diagnosed mental health illnesses among children and young people, the widening health inequalities and, with broader concerns of societal disconnect from nature, they argue that arts-in-nature practices have vast potential to connect people with nature and contribute to both human and planetary health.
