Primary school children have low nature intelligence

“Nature activities at school lead to a higher NQ. Teachers therefore really need to be better supported in this area,” says Vincent van der Veen, IVN programme manager for Children & Nature.

The research, led by nature professor Agnes van den Berg, took place over the past few months among pupils in years 7 and 8 of primary school. More than half of all children in the upper years of primary school do not feel connected to nature and also have few practical skills to establish that connection. Children without a garden and children who undertake few nature activities with their parents or at school in particular score low. Yet children who grow up with nature are healthier, happier and more creative than their peers. How can we turn the tide?

The importance of engagement with nature

“The results clearly show that children who come into frequent contact with nature at a young age feel much more connected to it. Given the crises we are currently facing, it is essential that young people become engaged with nature again. After all, those who love nature will also take better care of it,” says Van der Veen.

That is why IVN believes it is important to invest heavily in support for primary schools in the field of nature education in the coming years. “For example, the national government has invested in support for arts and music education. That is also very important. But this is completely lacking for nature education. It gives you a real Titanic feeling: Spaceship Earth is sinking while the orchestra merrily continues to play.”

Nature versus mathematics and language

The annual reports by the Dutch Inspectorate of Education on The State of Education provided the impetus for the NQ research. These reports repeatedly emphasise that children in the Netherlands are falling behind in mathematics and language. IVN recognises the importance of these basic skills, but believes that the focus on mathematics and language is too one-sided.

With the NQ test and research report it has developed, IVN wants to engage in dialogue with policymakers, education administrators, teachers, parents and children. Van der Veen: “All children have the right to a hopeful future. In that light, nature education, like arts and music education, may well be a more important basic skill than language and mathematics.”