What is Attention Restoration Theory?
The long hours spent in school solving math problems and reading books, the hustle and bustle of urban life, and the magnetic pull of the Internet all vie for children’s attention that they only have so much of. Their cognitive resources are quickly depleted and, if not restored adequately, they will feel mentally fatigued. The best way for your child to recharge and restore their cognitive batteries is to go outside and experience nature directly, as proposed by the Attention Restoration Theory (ART).
ART suggests that natural environments have the most effective restorative effect on children’s attentional functioning.
The keyword is “natural“.
It is not enough to just have playtime indoors to give children some time to rest. What they need is playtime in natural environments for them to both rest and recharge their cognition.
The benefits of ART in nature
A study compared three groups of school children, one who had lunchtime indoors, one in the schoolyard, and the other in a nearby woods, on their ability to perform a backwards-number-counting task. The third group – lunch in the woods – not only performed the best in the counting task, but they also expressed that they feel much more relaxed than the other two groups after their lunchtime.
The benefits do not just end there. Regular exposure to nature has been associated with improved academic performances, enhanced working memory, and boosted concentration among school children. The restorative effect of nature helps them to reduce their fatigue such that they have more available cognitive resources to focus on improving their attentional functioning.
“The enjoyment of scenery employs the mind without fatigue and yet exercises it, tranquilizes it and yet enlivens it; and thus, through the influence of the mind over the body, gives the effect of refreshing rest and reinvigoration to the whole system.”
– Frederick Law Olmsted, 1865
They have also exhibited better impulse control, self-discipline, and increased delay of gratification as they have more resources to manage their emotions. Immersing themselves in the natural environment provides children with a sense of escape from the stresses of schoolwork, allowing them to feel calm and relaxed.
Nature may also help children with ADHD improve their attentional capacities. Click here to read more about the benefits.
As children are still developing their cognitive abilities, it is important that we allow them to explore the full potential of their growth, unimpeded by mental fatigue. The restorative effect of nature through regular exposure thus should be emphasized to facilitate the healthy development of your child’s cognition.