To explore meanings that nature holds for children, study participants were asked to write stories in response to photographs of natural and human-made (built) scenes. The task was intentionally open-ended so that participants could freely put into their stories any elements or themes that came to mind in response to the different stimuli. Content analysis of responses from seventh-grade children and late-adolescent college students revealed thematic differences in response to the two different types of stimuli. Responses to the nature scenes were characterized by higher levels of affiliation and positive connection with others, positive sensory experience, playful engagement, peace and calm, and positive affect. Compared to the built scene stories, the nature stories also contained fewer themes of acquisition of money and possessions and less busyness. Implications of these thematic patterns are discussed in a consideration of what nature evokes in us, what symbolic meanings nature holds, and what roles nature can, or does, have in modern life.
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