RESEARCH

Effects of Forest Activities on Sleep and Problematic Behaviors in Young Children

This study investigated the impact of forest meditation and forest experience activities on sleep and problematic behaviours compared to a control group. Results indicated that forest meditation improved sleep duration and habits, while forest experiences decreased problematic behaviours.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Children/Youth

Setting or Context: Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Improved Stress Management, Improved Sleep Quality

Allied Profession Intersections: Forest/Ecotherapy

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Forest/Natural Area Immersion, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Standardized Assessment Tools

Access: Free

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Summary

This study investigated the effects of forest activities on sleep and problematic behaviors in young children. Fifty-nine five-year-olds from two early childhood education institutions in Cheongju City, South Korea, participated in the study. They were divided into three groups: forest meditation (20 children), forest experience (19 children), and a control group (20 children) engaging in standard curriculum activities. The forest activities were conducted twice a week for five weeks, totaling eight 60-minute sessions, at the Yongjeong Children’s Forest Experience Center.

The researchers used the Korean version of the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire to assess sleep duration and habits, and the Korean Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5 to evaluate problematic behaviors. The study found that the forest meditation group showed a significant increase in average sleep duration and improvements in sleep habits, particularly in bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, and sleep anxiety. The forest experience group demonstrated a significant decrease in total problematic behaviors and internalizing problems. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between sleep habits and problematic behaviors, suggesting that static activities like forest meditation can improve sleep, while dynamic activities like forest experiences can reduce problematic behaviors in young children.

Link

Ga-Yeon, K., & Pouong-Sik, Y. (2024). Effects of forest activities on sleep and problematic behaviours in young children. Journal of People, Plants, and Environment, 27(2).

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