As we continue recovery from the trauma of the pandemic years, those working with young children have noted increases in behavioral concerns such as a loss of focus and the ability to concentrate, lack of motivation for learning, delayed social and self-regulation skills, and low tolerance for frustration. For mental health professionals, it is especially key to untangle whether the behaviors we observe are trauma, temperament, or temporary.
For both adults and children, calming apps and playlists that claim to soothe stress and induce feelings of calm have become popular, many incorporating the sounds of the natural world such as rain, ocean waves, bird song, or water bubbling. The idea that nature calms and heals us was cemented into the zeitgeist during the pandemic when many people sought refuge in the natural environment to heal from the trauma of the time and stay grounded. Interactions with nature and interactions with others in nature have positive impacts on mental health. This training will discuss why and how the natural world contributes to our mental wellbeing and the implications for building healthy neural pathways of resiliency and recovery in young children.
Our Presenter:
Ro Lewis is the Coordinator of Professional Development and Outreach with NCIMHA. They grew up surrounded by nature in the Appalachia Mountains and have spent their life enjoying and finding comfort in the many natural surroundings they have encountered. They taught preschool for nine years in a diverse urban setting, where they developed a forest classroom to allow children to experience play and exploration in a natural environment. They currently reside in Greensboro which they consider the perfect location for a three-hour trip to either of their favorite natural terrains—the mountains or the beach.
