Influence of green vegetation on children’s capacity of attention: a case study in Florence, Italy

In the present study we compared the effects on primary school children’s capacity of attention of a garden dominated by green vegetation with those of a classroom lacking natural elements. Eighty pupils, eight and 10 years of age of similar education and intellectual faculties, were chosen to solve the so-called “Trail making test”. Results showed that garden exposure significantly improved the attention of children. Implications of this finding are discussed in terms of guiding school policy and design.