Overview:
In this lesson, learners will learn about nature bathing and the positive effects the activity has on their nervous system and their overall mood. Learners will go outside, take a nature walk and collect sticks, rocks, leaves, and flowers while on their walk. After the nature walk, invite learners to create “nature art” with the objects collected. Learners can use their gathered items to create works of art to remind them of their nature bathing experience. Learners will be encouraged to write gratitude words, affirmations, or positive phrases on their “nature art”. Learners will also have opportunities to reflect, share, and discuss their nature art and experiences with others.
NB Curricular Connections
Explore Your World
Strand: Well-Being Big Idea: Physical Health and Active Participation Skill Descriptor: Analyze personal safety and healthy practices.
Strand: Well-Being Big Idea: Emotional Health and Positive Identities Skill Descriptor:
- Explore activities that foster enjoyment and well-being.
- Recognize that feelings and emotions can impact well-being, relationships, and the way we engage with others.
Personal Wellness 3–5
Strand: Wellness Big Idea: Healthy Lifestyle Skill Descriptor:
- Grade 3: Analyze personal safety and healthy practices.
- Grade 4: Describe personal safety and healthy practices.
- Grade 5: Assess personal safety and healthy practices.
Strand: Mental Fitness Big Idea: Mental Health Strategies Skill Descriptor:
- Grade 3: Demonstrate self-calming strategies to regulate emotional reactions.
- Grade 4: Identify strategies for regulating emotional reactions.
- Grade 5: Identify strategies for seeking support for self and others.
Strand: Mental Fitness Big Idea: Positive Mental Health Skill Descriptor:
- Grade 3: Explore the importance of talking about emotions and emotional responses.
- Grade 4: Describe the seven primary emotions and their expression.
- Grade 5: Identify ways to manage stress and regulate emotions.
English Language Arts K–2
Strand: Interactions Big Idea: Expression Skill Descriptor:
- Kindergarten: Express feelings and opinions and give simple descriptions of experiences.
- Grade 1: Express feelings and opinions and give simple descriptions of experiences.
- Grade 2: Express feelings and opinions, providing some explanation, and give simple descriptions of experiences.
English Language Arts 3–5
Strand: Interactions Big Idea: Expression Skill Descriptor:
- Grade 3: Describe and discuss thoughts, feelings, experiences, ideas, and opinions.
- Grade 4: Express and discuss thoughts, feelings, experiences, ideas, and opinions, and consider those of their peers.
- Grade 5: Express and discuss thoughts, feelings, experiences, ideas, and opinions, and consider those of their peers.
What you’ll need:
- Mindfulness Resource Kit (PDF Attached)
- Items from nature. (Sticks, leaves, rocks, flowers, sand)
- Glue, markers, paper
- Relaxing music and speaker (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Begin with a discussion about how to be mindful and how to practice it. Move into a discussion about nature bathing, which involves going in nature and being present with the natural environment all around you. This allows you to “take a bath” in the serenity and soothing, clean air of natural spaces. Taking a nature bath helps to focus your mind, helps you to be calm, and puts you in a good mood!
Step 2: Next, take the students for a nature walk. If you have access to a wooded area, that is best. If not, walking meditation can be done anywhere inside or outside. Nature bathing and mindful walking in nature are the same things! If possible, have students collect pieces of nature such as sticks, rocks, leaves, and flowers while on their walk. Regardless of where you are taking your mindful walk, here are some things to remind students:
- Walk slowly, noticing how your feet touch the surface you are walking on.
- Notice the feel of the surface below you.
- Notice which part of your foot first touches the surface below you. Is it your heel or your toe? Do not try to change anything, just notice it.
- Be aware of any sounds you may hear around you.
- Be aware of any smells that you notice.
- Notice any colours and shapes of things around you.
- You are simply observing and not trying to change anything or judge anything.
Step 3: After the nature walk, instruct students to create “nature art” with the objects collected. Students can use their gathered sticks to create works of art to remind them of their nature bathing experience. If they have pieces of wood, sticks or rocks, they can use markers to write gratitude words, affirmations, or positive phrases of their choosing. Allow students time to reflect and come up with authentic words/phrases on their own as much as possible. Alternatively, students can use various items from nature to make shapes, designs, scenes or letters and glue them on paper to make their piece of art. Encourage students to feel free, creative, and expressive and allow them to be non-judgmental of their artwork.
Step 4: Invite learners to share and discuss their nature art with a partner, small group, or teacher. Let learners know they can share what they made, what they used, what they noticed on their walk, and how the experience made them feel. Give learners time to think, plan, or practice what they want to share.
Give learners a choice in how they share. They can choose one way or combine a few:
- Talk it through: What did you make? Which items did you use? What do you want to tell us about your piece?
- Draw and/or write: Draw something about your piece or experience, add labels, write about it, or use a combination. Sentence starters such as “I used ___ because…,” “On our walk I noticed…,” or “When I look at my piece, I feel…” can help learners get started.
- Record it: Record a short audio or video message about your piece or your experience.
As learners share, invite listeners to respond and ask questions. Encourage learners to use kind and respectful words, such as “I like how you…,” “I wonder…,” or “Can you tell me more about…?”
Additional Web Resources:
- Article: Walking Mindfulness Ideas
- YouTube: Walking Mindfulness for Kids (Cosmic Kids)
- Nature Bath Benefits
Questions Related to The Labour Market and Employment Opportunities In NB:
- Forests cover 85 percent of New Brunswick’s landscape. What kinds of jobs are available in New Brunswick if you like to work in the woods or in nature? (Planting, farming, gardening, logging, operating tractors and other heavy equipment, geology, conservation, fisheries or wildlife officer, harvester, surveyor)
- Being an artist is an occupation. How many different kinds of artists can you think of? (Painters, sculptors, woodworkers/carvers, graphics artists, sketch artists, interior decorators, mural artists, textile artists, cake decorators, etc.)
Reflection Activity
Please see the attached “Make Meaning” PDF for several choices on how you and your learners can reflect upon today’s activity.
