'It's Very Spooky in Here': young children's fears and anxieties in the natural environment

Although nature is recognized as a setting that stimulates children's joy and wonder, few studies have examined the negative emotions that children experience in nature. This qualitative study explored 4-5-year-old Alaskan children's emotional, behavioural, and cognitive expressions of fear and anxiety during an outdoor excursion. Data was collected through sensory tours, in which children were equipped with wearable cameras while they explored. Findings revealed that half of the 20 children expressed fear and anxiety. Four themes (physical discomfort, trouble navigating, imagined danger, feeling scared and lost) characterized children's fearful encounters. Children created fearful situations by imaging monsters, snakes, and alligators. Encountering dark and fallen limbs, navigating the tall grass and a slippery boardwalk provoked feeling lost and scared. Children self-regulated their fearful experiences through self-talk and staying close to one another. By paying attention to children's fearful emotions, adults can better support children's formative experiences in the natural world.

Automated summary

Although nature is usually associated with joy and wonder for children, this qualitative study found that 50% of 4-5-year-old Alaskan children expressed fear and anxiety during an outdoor excursion. Children created fearful situations by imagining monsters, snakes, and alligators, and encountered challenges such as dark areas and navigating through tall grass. Self-talk and staying close to one another were common strategies used by children to regulate their fearful experiences.