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The Emotional and Behavioral Processes of Children's Environmental Identity Development among Rural and Nonrural Alaskan Children

Project Overview

Despite the importance for human development of childhood experiences with the natural world, little research has focused on young children's emotional encounters with nature or how these experiences shape their values, perceptions and behaviors. This research systematically examines children's behavioral and emotional interactions to nature over a five-year period. This project examines how family, culture and geographical locations shape the manner in which children form their identity in nature. Findings from this research enhance understanding of how children learn to regulate their emotions in nature, and it also expands knowledge about the role education plays in shaping how children develop empathy and care for living and nonliving aspects of their natural environments. The project highlights the voices and perspectives of young Alaska Native and non-Native children living in Alaska, thereby broadening participation in socioecological science in polar regions.