Connection with Nature
Kids are losing touch with nature, and their mental health is suffering because of it.
Children today have less contact with the natural world than 50 years ago and has resulted in being less connected to Nature. In some cases, the disconnection is so chronic that kids are developing phobias towards the outdoors. For example, phobia of getting dirty, phobia of seeing insects, phobia of being in less than perfect weather conditions. Phobia of the outdoors is known as ecophobia. Ecophobia and the spending of countless hours in front of screens are making kids more sedentary. This new societal reality is worrisome because empirical research is now showing that contact with Nature is an extremely important classroom, not only to create strong values towards Nature, but also to develop emotional, personal and social intelligence and well-being in children (1).
According to a Harvard University Study comparing six nations (2),
“Socioemotional education is not a priority for Chileans.”
Nature, a remedy for the planet and ourselves
One of our programs targets children in residential care who have been separated from their families due to safety concerns.We have implemented a nature-based, socioemotional learning approach designed to foster personal growth, confidence, and trust. These kids often face profound emotional and psychological challenges due to past experiences of trauma, neglect, and instability. Our program creates intentional spaces for conversation, exploration, meditation, art, and play, helping them build essential life skills in a safe and supportive environment. Grounded in a foundation of trust, this approach improves self-esteem, emotional regulation, decision-making, and relationship-building; skills that are critical for healing and for navigating daily life. By connecting with peers and supportive adults in meaningful, outdoor experiences, these kids develop trust, resilience, and a stronger sense of self, laying the foundation for a healthier and more empowered future.
The sounds and feelings of the forest
For a group of kids in foster care, time spent in the forest with our team and a group of local partners meant new discoveries, about nature and about themselves.
“After all that I have been learning in these programs, I want to follow a career in environmental science”
— The reflection of an 8th grader after his second year with us. It surprised us all, because the year before, he expressed a strong sense of hopelessness and distance towards the environment.
Gallery:
How does time spent in nature relate to One Health?
When kids build their own competencies in fun, nature-based ways, they not only become people who care about the health of animals, humans, and the environment, but also become more confident and empathetic. Our program fosters self-esteem, emotional resilience, and self-care through joyful, curiosity-driven experiences shared with peers, helping young people develop a stronger sense of belonging and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Give kids a chance to get curious and build a connection to Nature
Sources:
(1) Schilling SH, Carreño A, Tapia E, Mascayano F, Pitronello R, Santander F, Jorquera MJ, Burrone MS and Alvarado RV (2021) Experts by Experience: Qualitative Evaluation of Adolescent Participation in the Development of a Technological Intervention to Prevent Youth Suicide in Chile. Front. Psychiatry 11:522057. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.522057
(2) Reimers and Chung, 2016 – Harvard University – comparative study between six nations: Chile, China, India, Mexico, United States and Singapore.
(3) Preuß, M.; Nieuwenhuijsen, M.; Marquez, S.; Cirach, M.; Dadvand, P.; Triguero-Mas, M.; Gidlow, C.; Grazuleviciene, R.; Kruize, H.; Zijlema, W. Low Childhood Nature Exposure is Associated with Worse Mental Health in Adulthood. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 1809. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101809