A substantial body of research highlights the value of nature experience
in supporting children’s well-being and development. Given the growing
interest in connectedness to nature (C2N), a better understanding of
C2N measurement provides multiple opportunities, including consideration of the use of tools for research purposes and practitioner program
measurement. The combination of interest in C2N and the potential for
measuring the human relationship with nature provide the background
for this exploratory study. The study’s goal was to highlight the appropriate use of C2N scales based on considerations of context and culture.
Three different, albeit related, efforts to translate, adapt, and use C2N
measurements with children in a Danish-Swedish context during 2021–
2022 were examined using case study methodology. Synthesis of the
case studies provides general lessons and specific insights researchers
and practitioners have learned regarding scale development and the
application of measurement tools for children. Process functionality, child
well-being, and conceptual appropriateness are three outcomes of the
analysis that guide using child-oriented C2N scales in a Nordic context.
The results highlight promoting discussions about nature and children’s
access to nature while guiding scale use. Based on the results, a checklist
was created supporting a decision-making process for scale use