Nature-Friendly Architecture Aimed at Promoting Children's Socio-Emotional Development in Learning Environments

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Hosna Sadat Shams Dolatabadi 1
Somayeh Pourbagher 2
Elham Parvizi 1
1 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2 Postdoctoral Researcher in Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
10.48311/bsnt.2025.75042.0
Abstract
Aims: With the rapid expansion of urban environments and the diminishing access of children to natural spaces, the importance of environmentally oriented design for restoring their sensory and emotional connection to nature has become increasingly evident. This study aims to identify nature-based design components that effectively enhance children’s emotional intelligence, drawing on expert perspectives from learning environments .
Methods: Using an exploration approach and the Delphi technique, data were initially gathered through structured interviews with specialists in child space design and emotional psychology. A theoretical sample of 225 participants was determined, and data was analyzed using R software. The validity and reliability of the assessment tool were confirmed through factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha.
Findings: The research revealed six core design factors: sensory diversity, support for free play, inspiration from natural patterns, flexibility and adaptability to children’s emotional needs, a sense of refuge and belonging, and enhancement of self-awareness and emotional regulation. These components are significantly associated with emotional and social development in children. Nature-oriented environmental design can thus serve as an effective foundation for nurturing emotional competencies, cultivating ecological awareness, and fostering responsible behavior in future generations.
Conclusion: The study concludes that integrating nature-based principles into children’s spatial design can significantly foster emotional growth, social interaction, and self-regulation. By stimulating sensory experiences and supporting adaptive engagement with natural elements, such environments not only enhance emotional intelligence but also promote long-term psychological well-being and ecological consciousness among children in urban contexts.

Keywords

Subjects

 
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  • Receive Date 20 August 2025
  • Revise Date 04 November 2025
  • Accept Date 26 November 2025