fbpx

Wellness at Work
and School

Wellness at Work and School

Children are the future, and making sure they are equipped with the skills to lead healthy, inspired and productive lives is our responsibility as adults.

After the forced isolation of the COVID global pandemic, more children need mental health support than ever, and it is becoming a priority for school districts as well as families.

EDUCATION PROVIDERS

As long time educators, we found that nature sensory practice – Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy – could be adapted to school settings to provide support for both students and their teachers. The way students learn in our schools, combined with the hours they spend at home on technological devices makes demands on their directed attention functions that leave so many students feeling anxious, distracted, and unable to process more information, let alone learn. Researchers are finding an increased incidence of directed attention fatigue in children and teenagers.

“When I’m outdoors I’m always naming things, it’s always about what I know. I realized on this Forest Bathing walk that I don’t need to know. I can be in nature without knowing.”
K.L.

“In nature, a child finds freedom, fantasy and privacy; a place distant from the adult world, a separate peace.”
Richard Louv

Last Child in The Woods

Girl with hands on tree Adirondack forest bathing
Restoring our directed attention functions is easy. It requires intention and simple skills. Nature is the best environment to restore directed attention functions. Using our senses makes time in nature more effective, because using our senses bring us into the here and now. Our senses make us mindful, without trying to be, providing our directed attention with a softer broader awareness and often, an accompanying sense of wonder or awe.
That’s why we have created 10-20 minute nature sensory activities for the classroom and outside, that restore everyone’s ability and capacity for learning. Think of it as a reboot for directed attention functions. These activities combine the use of one or more of our five senses with engagement with nature, out of doors and indoors. There are sensory activities for all seasons, which can be integrated into the school day.
Young woman on forest path holding hat
Greater self-awareness is a pre-requisite for lasting change. Using an age adjusted version of a Mood Meter, students identify how they feel before and after a nature sensory activity. As students develop greater awareness of the impact of nature sensory activities on how they feel, their sense of agency improves. They can be encouraged to use nature sensory activities on their own, at school or at home, to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. These are emotional intelligence skills that can last a lifetime.
Empowering students with a new set of life skills is at the heart of what we do. Nature sensory activities can be practiced outside of school, as a way to reduce anxiety and stress, to defuse feelings of anger or to relieve grief. When we slow down, we can notice how nature mirrors so many of our life lessons and can be a great teacher. Regardless of where students live, urban, suburban or rural area, a neighborhood park, a yard or a community garden will provide a rich experience. Even indoor plants or a favorite nature photograph can provide relief from stress.
Group of young people Adirondack forest bathing
Student looking at open book while Adirondack forest bathing

EDUCATION PROVIDERS

As long time educators, we found that nature sensory practice – Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy – could be adapted to school settings to provide support for both students and their teachers. The way students learn in our schools, combined with the hours they spend at home on technological devices makes demands on their directed attention functions that leave so many students feeling anxious, distracted, and unable to process more information, let alone learn. Researchers are finding an increased incidence of directed attention fatigue in children and teenagers.

Girl with hands on tree Adirondack forest bathing
Restoring our directed attention functions is easy. It requires intention and simple skills. Nature is the best environment to restore directed attention functions. Using our senses makes time in nature more effective, because using our senses bring us into the here and now. Our senses make us mindful, without trying to be, providing our directed attention with a softer broader awareness and often, an accompanying sense of wonder or awe.
That’s why we have created 10-20 minute nature sensory activities for the classroom and outside, that restore everyone’s ability and capacity for learning. Think of it as a reboot for directed attention functions. These activities combine the use of one or more of our five senses with engagement with nature, out of doors and indoors. There are sensory activities for all seasons, which can be integrated into the school day.
Young woman on forest path holding hat
Greater self-awareness is a pre-requisite for lasting change. Using an age adjusted version of a Mood Meter, students identify how they feel before and after a nature sensory activity. As students develop greater awareness of the impact of nature sensory activities on how they feel, their sense of agency improves. They can be encouraged to use nature sensory activities on their own, at school or at home, to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. These are emotional intelligence skills that can last a lifetime.
Group of young people Adirondack forest bathing
Empowering students with a new set of life skills is at the heart of what we do. Nature sensory activities can be practiced outside of school, as a way to reduce anxiety and stress, to defuse feelings of anger or to relieve grief. Nature mirrors so many life lessons when we slow down, and can be a great teacher. Regardless of where students live, urban, suburban or rural area, a neighborhood park, a yard or a community garden will provide a rich experience. Even indoor plants or a favorite nature photograph can provide relief from stress.

“When I’m outdoors I’m always naming things, it’s always about what I know. I realized on this Forest Bathing walk that I don’t need to know. I can be in nature without knowing.”

K.L.

“In nature, a child finds freedom, fantasy and privacy; a place distant from the adult world, a separate peace.”

Richard Louv

Last Child in The Woods

Supporting Educators

Here are some of the ways we can support you as a teacher or support your school team:

  • Facilitate an after school program over several weeks to introduce students to nature sensory practice
  • Lead a field day experience that would include a series of nature sensory activities
  • Facilitate nature sensory activities during school time
  • Train your teachers and staff to facilitate nature sensory activities
  • Provide support for implementation and continued learning for students, teachers and staff
  • Determine with you how to best engage families with nature sensory activities as a practice they can share at home
Several years ago, a large study found that on average children in the US spend 7-8 minutes out of doors each day, which for some consists of commuting to and from school. Our hope is also to inspire the next generation to develop a closer relationship with nature, as they will be Earth’s future stewards.

Call Helene at (518) 637-2963 to explore how we can work together to create a great program for your group.

How We Work

1. Contact Us

Schedule a brief call or email us with your vision and objectives

2. Proposal

We provide you with a proposal, with options to address your vision

3. Confirm

Confirmation with all the details, and support you need for a successful program