Are your students exhibiting any of the following: crying, angry outbursts, inattentiveness, hyperactivity? Did you know that many of these behaviors are because students have not yet learned how to identify and manage their emotions? Just like we teach math and reading we also must teach emotional regulation and social skills. This is where social emotional learning (SEL) comes in. Self-awareness and self-management are two of the competencies of SEL and help to address the student behaviors previously mentioned. When the SEL is paired with exposure to and exploration of nature, studies have shown that the lessons have a more profound effect because nature has a calming effect on the nervous system and provides opportunities for students to learn in relational and real world ways.

Learn how pairing SEL with nature helps students regulate their nervous system making it easier for them to build self-management skills. Learn how to facilitate social emotional learning through activities incorporating SEL into nature both when you are able to take students outside and when you need to bring nature into the classroom. Help your students to self-regulate to maximize and enjoy their time in school.