White Paper: "Use of Tree Canopy Images in School Classrooms to Promote Mindfulness, Positive Behavior, and Enhance Learning" |
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ABSTRACT
Fifty years of research on the effects of nature images, especially trees and landscapes, has demonstrated beneficial outcomes in the well-being and healing of patients in hospitals (see references below). Tree Canopy Ceilings and privacy curtains with natural landscapes installed in over 3,000 hospitals across the US have resulted in shorter hospital stays, reduced anxiety, blood pressure and pain medication intake. This led to improved attitudes and moods of patients, family visitors, and hospital staff as measured by patient satisfaction surveys. We have piloted the installation of Tree Canopy Ceilings in classrooms where children spend a great number of hours each week, obtaining similar benefits in children and teachers as with the hospital curtains. Educational research shows classroom views to nature or images trees boosts academic achievement, social-emotional development, and nurtures environmental stewardship. |
Benefits of Classroom Nature Views
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Research has shown that viewing images of trees stimulates the brain to respond as if it were outside. Given today's classrooms without views to greenery, tree ceiling murals bring the benefits of outdoor learning indoors. They are not a substitute for getting children outside, rather a complement to the advantages of outdoor education. Download a bibliography of education research and library links that outline the benefits of viewing nature images and green classroom views.
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Current Research
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Nature In The Classroom has partnered with Dr. Richard Taylor and the University of Oregon to conduct research on how tree canopy ceilings impact academic achievement and social-emotional learning. Dr. Taylor is the foremost research on the impact of how we perceive tree patterns.
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