Mindful Nature Pedagogy

Mindful Nature Pedagogy sees education as a holistic, wholesome process and promotes learning through active, creative, multi-sensory engagement with the natural world.

Priorities are:

· Nature as the classroom/learning space (whenever possible).

·       A playful approach.

·       Fostering of curiosity.

·       Freedom and motivation to explore and experiment.

·       Opportunities for risk taking within a supportive network.

·       Facilitating multi-sensory experiencing.

·       Encouraging creativity.

·       Mindful awareness and engagement, promoting a sense of wonder and awe. 

Apart from children’s developmental and educational progress, these methodologies support a greater sensitivity and connection to Nature, and with that a desire to play an active part in creating a more sustainable world. Mindful Nature Pedagogy is lived and experienced education, learning by doing is an integral approach in all activities. 

Experiences in Nature unfortunately are not part of everyday life for many families anymore. A changed society and modern living circumstances, particularly in urban environments, prevent the regular contact with elements of the natural world, but this contact and direct experience is not optional for children’s physical, mental and emotional development, it’s as important as a healthy diet. Only in Nature and the outdoors do kids encounter all four non- negotiable sources for their development: freedom, immediacy, resistance and connection.  

Our modern education system is lacking crucial aspects of supporting child development and learning. As educators we need to get more involved in prioritising more wholesome approaches, rather than the primary focus being on academic performance.

Other benefits of nature connection for children’s physical, mental and emotional development - Goals of Mindful Nature Pedagogy:

·       Development of a strong immune system.

·       Physical exercise.

·       Support of gross and fine motor skills.

·       Building of self-confidence, independence and resilience.

·       Development of problem solving and self-evaluation skills.

·       Development of all the senses.

·       Sparking curiosity and creativity.

·       Learning of values and key social and cognitive competences.

·       Co-operation.

·       Freedom to explore and play.

·       The realisation that everything is inter-connected and how things and processes affect each other, most importantly the role us humans play in these interactions.

·       The realisation, feeling and knowledge that they/humans are part of Nature.

·       Time for rest and mindful awareness.

·       A feeling of belonging, kindness, compassion and love for the natural world.

·       A desire to live respectfully and sustainably in order to protect and nurture the environment.