Personal, social and emotional development
Participating in the National Education Nature Park encourages children to connect with nature to improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. Spending time in nature is proven to increase feelings of happiness by increasing the body's production of dopamine and endorphins, as well as supporting concentration and reducing symptoms of anxiety. Activities in the Nature Park encourage learners to communicate and manage their emotions, as well as work together to make things happen.
By participating in the Nature Park, learners can be supported to develop a positive relationship with nature and learn that their actions can have a positive impact on the world, building confidence in their abilities as they progress through life. Browse the resources library or take a look at the suggestions below.
Adult-led activity suggestions
- invite learners to explore the different emotions associated with nature while looking closely at the features of trees. In this activity learners will create tree faces using clay that represent different emotions. These can remain on the trees to help facilitate future circle times or encourage role play
- encourage learners to share their ideas, experiences and relationships from home by creating a portrait using natural objects from nature
- work in pairs to search for leaves around your setting. Use these leaf ID guides to match the leaves to the picture. As a facilitator, model looking at the following elements of a leaf; texture, veins, colour, shape of edges, size and number of leaves – encourage learners to compare and analyse different leaves
Nature Park highlight
- Role play ideas and green careers: this activity provides a range of possibilities for role play, from learners imagining they are taking on different outdoor jobs, to solving a nature-based problem
Continuous provision
Growing food is a fantastic way to connect to nature and help learners begin to understand where their food comes from. This can be adapted for most settings from planting in pots where space is limited, creating beds on concrete surfaces, to turning part of a field into a food growing area. Plants, which make up a large proportion of our diet, are crucial for our health and wellbeing. Both healthy eating and taking part in growing activities can improve mental and physical health and wellbeing, as well as improving your space for wildlife.
This continuous provision provides year-round learning opportunities. Ground is best prepared in winter, ready for seed sowing in spring, but lots of crops can be sown or planted into the summer for later harvests.
Early learning goals
Managing self
- be confident to try new activities and show independence, resilience and perseverance in the face of challenge
Building relationships
- work and play cooperatively and take turns with others
Self-regulation
- set and work towards simple goals, being able to wait for what they want and control their immediate impulses when appropriate
Thumbnail image: © RHS, Credit: RHS / Helen Yates