In Nature -benefits beyond childhood
There are so many benefits of nature exploration, place-based (PBE), and nature-based education for children. Place-Based Education (PBE) is an approach to education that takes advantage of geography, community assets, design patterns, and learning environments to make learning authentic, meaningful, and engaging for children. Nature-based education supports children to develop socially, emotionally, holistically, physically, and intellectually. It creates a safe, non-judgmental, nurturing environment for children to try new things and take risks (read our blog on risky play here). When in nature children can better understand the world around them. This helps to create bodily autonomy - an essential framework, invaluable to their future success.
I recently read an article discussing how childhood exposure to natural environments influences adult well-being. Here’s how:
Embeds learning everywhere and views the community as a classroom.
Child-centered.
Inquiry-based to help children develop an understanding of their place in the world.
Incorporates local and global thinking and investigations.
Requires design thinking to find solutions to authentic problems.
Is interdisciplinary.
Connects learning to communities.
In the study, when respondents were asked about their memories of childhood places in semi-structured interviews, those who grew up in rural areas mentioned outdoor activities more frequently and had stronger emotional expressions, such as happiness, freedom, and confidence.
Read the full study HERE!
With gratitude,
