Open space! Children need nature

Due to social developments it seems as though the value of closeness to nature and experiences of nature are becoming less important to people. At the same time in recent years more and more scientists have been studying the positive effects of natural environments and attribute great potential to them especially with regard to child development. This paper deals with the question of the extent to which nature still represents a learning and living space for children.The aim is to determine whether and how nature can be used as a resource in social education practice and what goals can be achieved as a result. The concept of holism as well as findings from neuroscience provide relevant insights into the questions to be answered.