Forest Therapy Basics in Education, 2024
To learn (really LEARN!) it is not enough to watch, listen, read… Effective learning should be based on information elaboration and engagement. When you add emotions, sensory experience, relating new knowledge to oneself, leaving space for reflection, coming up with and analysing one’s own projects (in one’s own context), discussion, sharing and interpreting to others, and all in contact with nature and each other – you have the perfect recipe for a workshop on the basics of forest therapy for teachers and educators.
And for dessert, scientific articles and materials, examples of good practice in educational projects, methods and tools… lots of tools!
And there was no time or opportunity to miss the administering methods, because with children it is (should be!) – active: “Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Let me act and I will understand” (Confucius).
And what was the workshop about, among other things? Substantively about working with children applying basics of forest therapy, concretely and practically. The forest bathing scheme of the Relational Ecotherapy Institute was intensively practised. There was a ‘lesson’ on creating forest invitations as a form of non-directive encouragement of forest activities. There was also the creation of ‘green prescriptions’ to later support the implementation of the tasks of the prevention and education programme of the kindergarten, school in supporting the mental health of children, adolescents and their families.
And also… working on and with oneself, with creativity, imagination and with attention to the need to take care of one’s own health.
And such things only in relationships: with nature, with other people and with oneself….
Just see the pictures 🙂
Your trainer- Marzena Żachowska
Trainers: Katarzyna Grabka and Marzena Żachowska
Klembów near Warsaw, 19-21st of April, 2024
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What was in the programme?
Team integration based on circle work – part of introduction to group work (new class team, day care group, sociotherapy group, TUS group) Forest bathing (practice) Theory: Forest bathing – forest therapy – therapy in the forest? Effects of highly urbanised and natural environments on central nervous system function, immunology, cardiovascular system and other aspects of health Basic forest bathing scheme of the Relational Ecotherapy Institute – know how Prevention of mental health care in children – sensory boredom, nature deficit syndrome. Psychological and pedagogical support activities, revalidation, rehabilitation of disturbed functions and deficits in the cognitive, emotional, social and motor spheres in children, adolescents in the natural environment. Forest therapy in educational, upbringing, preventive activities (forest therapy in the school educational-preventive programme) and revalidation activities of kindergartens and schools – work with the project method The place of forest therapy in the core curriculum. Forest therapy in the process of teacher’s professional promotion – innovations in education from an examiner’s perspective.
 Examples of good practice: projects, field programmes of nature education, nature and environmental education to be used in own kindergarten, school activities. Methods, techniques, tools to use during forest mindfulness activities and forest therapy. Forest mindfulness workshops for children – an idea of inclusive education. Creativity work – forest activities, senses, imagination, when to focus on minimalism, when to focus on playfulness or maybe contemplation – art therapy in the forest. Forest therapy based techniques to be used in a building setting e.g. for children, immobile students/ or in isolation (individual teaching). How to apply forest bathing and where (educational institutions, parks, forests, city, home)? What are green prescriptions and green recommendations and how to integrate them into the professional practice of the teacher, psychologist, educator so that they support the implementation of the tasks of the prevention and education programme of the kindergarten, school in supporting the mental health of children, adolescents and their families – we create recommendations. Forest invitations as a form of non-directive encouragement for forest activities – we create invitations.
Dividing into groups, drawing of roles, preparation for tomorrow’s practical activities Night in the forest – safety rules, National Forests programme “Stay overnight in the forest”. Relaxing in a hammock – practical activities in hammock
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"Lots of help, materials for participants, great workshop."
"The trainers were very professional and empathetic to the needs of the course participants. They created a great atmosphere."
"I am satisfied. I gained knowledge and relaxed."
