Section outline

  • DESCRIPTION: Just as leaves support the growth and health of a flower from seedling to mature plant, nature supports our growth, health and wellness throughout our entire lifespan. In this module, explore how nature access and connection benefit healthy human development, from childhood through adulthood by learning about the specific mechanisms and pathways emerging in the research on nature and human connection. 

    This module includes the following sections: 

     

    OBJECTIVES: After completing this module, you should be able to:

    • Identify at least 5 ways nature exposure impacts various aspects of physical health and well-being in children.
    • Summarize the positive relationship between nature exposure and various aspects of children’s mental health and well-being.
    • Identify at least 3 scientific conclusions that affirm that connections to nature support the development of knowledge and skills that help children think about and understand the world around them. 

     

    BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT: You will be able to summarize how connections with nature help support all aspects of wellness across the entire lifespan of a human.

    MODULE THREE ASSIGNMENTS: The following assignments will be required to complete for each lesson found in this module. In addition to the lessons, you will continue to work on building your final capstone project by completing the Building Your Capstone Module Three Assignment. To complete these assignments, answer the following questions within your copy of your Course Journal. All assignments are also found within the course journal - making it easy to follow along. Before you begin the module, you may find it helpful to see the reflection questions below ahead of time. 

    LESSON ONE 

    In your course journal, please reflect on the following questions:

    • Choose one of the 2 articles (either “Biophilia as Evolutionary Adaptation” or “What is Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory?”) and describe how you think the research on your choice supports the idea of human and nature connections.  What was the most convincing support for this within your chosen article, and why do you think it is so compelling?
    • Now that you have been introduced to the concept of Biodiversity (the 3 levels of biodiversity, and human connections and impacts on biodiversity), reflect in your journal how you believe that biodiversity relates to your own well-being (mental, physical, emotional or otherwise).
    • Do you think Biodiversity does impact human wellness? In what ways (list 3)?
    • Are we as humans important when it comes to any or all of the layers of biodiversity?
    • Describe 3 ways we as humans impact biodiversity (positive or negative or both).

    LESSON TWO

    In your course journal, please reflect on the following questions:

    • After reading “Children & the Natural Environment”, reflect on the section defining nature experiences found in table 10.1. 
      • What resonated with you from your own experience and why?
      • Describe at least three benefits nature has on child development. How has your nature connection benefited your mental, physical, and cognitive health?
    • Have you seen any of the positive impacts of nature on children in your work? Describe those that have stayed with you the most. 

    LESSON THREE

    In your course journal, please reflect on the following questions:

    • After watching the video featuring Dr. Susan Masino, reflect here in your journal about the following:
      • What was something you heard that stood out to you and why?
      • Why do you think that our brain functioning and cognitive development is impacted by nature connections?
      • Describe how you could apply something you heard from Dr. Masino’s research to your own life and/or the work you do.
    • Now that you’ve explored the benefits of nature connections on the whole person and wellness, use the template embedded in your journal to conduct an assessment of at least 5 methods/tools for positively impacting wellness for your students through your lessons/programs.  Think of this as an attempt to create a “Wellness Kit” you will utilize for every EE program/lesson you host (not unlike you would include a First Aid Kit for every field trip).

    BUILDING YOUR FINAL CAPSTONE MODULE 3 ASSIGNMENT 

    In your course journal, please answer the following prompt which will help to build your final capstone project : 

    • Create a one page outline providing the main points, themes, and description for what will become your capstone project. 
    • Browse through the Children & Nature Network Research Library using keywords related to the specific theme of your capstone project. Find 2 articles that might support your capstone project, link them in your references section in your outline.