Impact of green and blue space on young children's health and development

Natural green (grass, shrubs, trees and parks) and blue spaces (beaches, rivers, lakes and swamps) have been associated with numerous health benefits, including increased physical activity, reduced stress, improved mental health, and faster illness recovery in adults. This thesis investigates the impact of these spaces on preschool-aged children’s physical activity and socioemotional development, using a mixed-methods approach. The study finds that higher-quality green and blue spaces, particularly beaches, positively influence young children’s movement behaviors and socioemotional development. The results underscore the importance of high-quality natural environments for young children's health and development, with potential implications for policy and public health