We loved getting to talk with Nashville Nature Explorers’ co-creator, Judy Scoville, in an earlier companion episode about the value of nature immersion for both kids and adults. Judy shared her own personal story of how being in nature has impacted her journey as a student and now, as an educator. This week, we go beyond the anecdotal and share exciting research that confirms the positive impacts many teachers, parents, and humans have experienced when getting to spend time in nature. Join us for a toe-dip into the deep sea of research about this exciting topic!
Click HERE for a transcript of today's episode.
Resources:
- “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry, A Poetry Film by Charlotte Ager & Katy Wang
- American Psychological Association Highlights Research That Shows Benefits of Time in Nature for Mental Health and Cognitive Benefits
- Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing | Scientific Reports
- 40-second green roof views sustain attention: The role of micro-breaks in attention restoration - ScienceDirect
- What is Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory (ART)?
- Greening for academic achievement: Prioritizing what to plant and where
- Research Library
- Opinion | Education in America: School Is for Connecting to Nature - The New York Times
- Udeskole—Regular Teaching Outside the Classroom
- Green Breaks: The Restorative Effect of the School Environment’s Green Areas on Children’s Cognitive Performance
- Understanding changes to children's connection to nature during the COVID-19 pandemic and implications for child well-being
- Recess | Physical Activity | Healthy Schools | CDC
- Do Experiences With Nature Promote Learning? Converging Evidence of a Cause-and-Effect Relationship - PMC
Weird of the Week:
Sarah’s WOW was that her daughter finally got to welcome an axolotl to the family zoo. Click below to learn more about this fascinating animal: Axolotl
Jennie’s WOW was that her family’s treehouse has been overrun by wasps…and that they remember your face! Wasps Can Recognize Faces
Being weird doesn’t have to be isolating! Connect with other lifelong learners who like to think outside the box by joining our Weirdschooling Community Facebook Page or follow us on Instagram @weirdschooling
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