Being in Nature Helps Alleviate ADHD Concentration Problems

A study from 2001 has shown that contact with nature may help to decrease concentration problems in children who suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD-I). Children that performed leisure activities in green settings functioned better than usual and that the 'greener' the play area, the less problematic the attention deficit symptoms were. (Full abstract below).

In a follow-up study from 2011 by some of the same authors they found further evidence for their claims, however they found that children who suffered from hyperactivity (ADHD-H/C) benefited only from open spaced green areas such as soccer fields or open lawns without too many trees.

Living in a green area and perhaps giving your child that puppy he's constantly asking for, so he can go on daily walks, might be a good way to help decrease their problems with attention ;)

Abstract: 

Attention Restoration Theory suggests that contact with nature supports attentional functioning, and a number of studies have found contact with everyday nature to be related to attention in adults. Is contact with everyday nature also related to the attentional functioning of children? This question was addressed through a study focusing on children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).  

This study examined the relationship between children’s nature exposure through leisure activities and their attentional functioning using both within and between-subjects comparisons. Parents were surveyed regarding their child’s attentional functioning after activities in several settings. 

Results indicate that children function better than usual after activities in green settings and that the “greener” a child’s play area, the less severe his or her attention deficit symptoms. Thus, contact with nature may support attentional functioning in a population of children who desperately need attentional support.

References:

Taylor, A. F., Kuo, F. E.M., & Sullivan, W. C. (2001). Coping with ADD The surprising connection to green play settings. Environment and Behavior, 33(1), 54-77.

Taylor, A. F., & Kuo, F. E. M. (2011). Could exposure to everyday green spaces help treat ADHD? Evidence from children's play settings. Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being, 3(3), 281-303.