The benefits of nature and green spaces on our mental health and wellbeing are well known. There is a growing amount of evidence to show it.
In the Early Years at Pownall we feel the awe and wonder of nature everyday! We are extremely lucky to have our wonderful, natural grounds and take the time to appreciate the environment around us. It really is amazing! Being outside makes us happy, the natural light and fresh air re-energises us and we feel uplifted. The smells, sounds and sights allow us to ‘tune in’ to nature and are incredibly relaxing for the mind.
What is more, as our appreciation of the world around us grows, we are more likely to take responsibility for caring for the natural environment, creating our green architects of the future! Outdoor activities such as grounding, forest bathing or practising mindfulness connect us more deeply with the world around us.
We take daily walks in nature, exploring the seasons first hand. From Spring blossom to Autumn leaves, there is always something new to discover in nature!
Studies show that long term Forest School programmes have positive impacts on children’s resilience, confidence and wellbeing. We are extremely lucky at Pownall to have our very own Forest School site and dedicated specialist teacher.
You do not need a Forest, any green space will do. Just open your senses to nature! We engage our senses in the following ways:
Hear: What can you hear? Perhaps the birds singing or leaves rustling underfoot.
See: What can you see? Perhaps a squirrel climbing the tree or a bird flying overhead.
Smell: What can you smell? Perhaps the smell of the ground after rainfall or the campfire fire burning in Forest School.
Taste: What can you taste? A sweet strawberry on a picnic or a warm cup of hot chocolate.
Feel: What can you feel? Perhaps the warm sun as we sit on the grass or the rain splashing down on a rainy day.
We take time to simply ‘be’ in nature. Sitting on the green grass, watching the clouds pass by, listening to the birds chirping, looking at daisies growing, as we know this is so good for our wellbeing.
Grounding is all about creating a connection with earth energy, allowing us to remain present and rooted in the moment. This is done through physical contact with the ground and brings about feelings such as peace and restored balance.
Yoga is a fun way to exercise, especially outdoors. Our weekly yoga sessions, with Milena from ‘Children’s Yoga Cheshire’, form an important part of our Early Years Curriculum. The benefits include:
We often plan a picnic snack or a meal to eat in the great outdoors!
Therapeutic gardening is where we can use our garden or outdoor space to do activities that have a positive effect on our wellbeing. Planting flowers and vegetables is a great way to learn about nature. Caring for something such as a plant can help improve self esteem and confidence.
‘The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul” – Alfred Austin
Hygge spaces promote emotional wellbeing and togetherness. Hygge is about sharing and enjoying small moments together everyday. It is about slowing down, being together and building relationships. In the Early Years at Pownall we believe in all the benefits that a Hygge environment brings. We have used the Hygge approach to create environments that capture the feeling of cosiness, warmth and togetherness for all who enter into them.
Children explore and learn in calm spaces, filled with cosy nooks, soft lights, warm textures and interesting objects to encourage curiosity and discussion. We bring nature inside and connect with nature outside daily. Our children are comfortable to have fun, explore or just snuggle down when they want to.
We believe that wellbeing is key to our provision. Children should experience happiness and other emotions in an ‘emotionally safe’ and nurturing environment and our Hygge inspired environments promote a sense of emotional wellbeing.
We have a real sense of community and enjoy spending time together, giving our children’s early education a family feel. We embrace Hygge all year round, going for walks in nature, taking time over meals and making memories every day. This approach, based on togetherness, fits perfectly with our child led ethos and In the moment planning.
