Can We Go Outside to Play?

A Study on Barriers to the Development of Experiences in Contact with Nature

Abstract

In recent decades, the distancing of children and adolescents with experiences of contact with nature (NCS) has increased, with effects on pro-ecological and pro-social behaviors, but also on a deterioration of physical and mental health. Through a mixed methodology of interviews with managers, children and questionnaires to parents, we identified the factors that hinder the practice of NCS in children aged four to eight years in the Region of La Araucanía, Chile. Parents identify social factors (e.g. time management) and safety factors (e.g. traffic) as important barriers to the development of these activities. In addition, school regulations and programs also do not favor these free experiences. The findings are discussed in terms of promoting these activities, understanding nature as a system of relationships that contains us and that we also structure.