{"id":9179,"date":"2017-05-26T08:09:23","date_gmt":"2017-05-26T08:09:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/?p=9179"},"modified":"2025-07-30T11:33:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T15:33:06","slug":"publication-benefits-of-connecting-with-nature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/publication-benefits-of-connecting-with-nature\/","title":{"rendered":"Publication: Benefits of Connecting with Nature"},"content":{"rendered":"

Check out the new publication entitled Benefits of Connecting with Nature<\/a>\u00a0now available in The Education Store!\"Benefits<\/p>\n

Times are constantly changing with the growth and integration of technology within society. As we become more and more reliant on technology for information and entertainment, we seem to be detached from many vital aspects of our world. People, especially children, are losing their touch with the outdoors.\u00a0Recent reports show that children ages 6\u201311 spend an average of 28 hours per week watching television. The average amount of time children spent using mobile devices tripled between 2011\u20132013.<\/p>\n

Natural environments have positive impacts on people\u2019s mental health and well-being. Studies consistently show that natural settings link to much stronger developmental benefits for children.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0unit will help teachers explore student’s relationship between nature and mental health. It contains four 30-40 minutes activities: Emotion Vocabulary Exploration, Guided Imagery, Creative Writing and Exploring Nature with your Senses.<\/p>\n

Resources:
\n<\/strong>The Nature of Teaching<\/a> \u2013 Purdue Extension
\nAppreciating Reptiles and Amphibians in Nature<\/a>\u00a0\u2013The Education Store
\nFrogs and Toads of Indiana<\/a> \u2013 The Education Store<\/p>\n

Molly Hunt<\/a>, Extension Educator, Delaware County
\nPurdue University\u00a0Extension Health and Human Sciences<\/p>\n

Katie Zuber<\/a>, Extension Educator, Lawrence, Jackson, Monroe and Brown County
\nPurdue University\u00a0Extension Health and Human Sciences<\/p>\n

Lindsey Pedigo<\/a>, Extension Educator, Howard County
\nPurdue University\u00a0Extension Health and Human Sciences<\/p>\n

Rod N Williams<\/a>,\u00a0Associate Head of Extension & Associate Professor of Wildlife Science
\nPurdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Check out the new publication entitled Benefits of Connecting with Nature\u00a0now available in The Education Store! Times are constantly changing with the growth and integration of technology within society. As we become more and more reliant on technology for information and entertainment, we seem to be detached from many vital aspects of our world. People, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42,80,44,49],"tags":[652,653,325,654],"class_list":["post-9179","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-forestry","category-trees","category-gotnatureforkids","category-plants","tag-children","tag-mental-health","tag-nature","tag-outdoors","audience-for-enthusiasts","audience-for-homeowners","audience-for-landowners","audience-for-professionals"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t