Why use nature as a context for learning? Contact with nature is essential for improving emotional, physical and spiritual health and wellbeing.
Learn about the 5 pathways to nature connection from the "International pathways to nature connection research"
Senses: engaging with nature through the senses eg, listening to birdsong, smelling flowers, watching the sunset.
Beauty: being inspired by the beauty of nature, often through music, poems or art.
Meaning: using nature or natural symbolism (eg, language and metaphors) to represent an idea, thinking about the meaning of nature and signs of nature, eg, the first daffodil of spring.
Emotion: an emotional bond/love for nature eg, reflecting on the happiness brought by nature.
Compassion: taking action! Caring for nature and doing something to protect it.
The pathways have been found to improve wellbeing and to grow a positive attitude towards caring for nature.
See the Department of Conservation "Photo story of Nature" activity card flyer.
