#56 Exploring the Benefits of Forest School and Outdoor Education with Nina Whalley

#56 Exploring the Benefits of Forest School and Outdoor Education with Nina Whalley In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I chat with Nina Whalley, a forest school practitioner and founder of Nurtured Through Nature. Nina supports children, young people and adults to spend time in nature and benefit from connecting with the great outdoors by creating transformative outdoor learning experiences.Nina explains how her passion lies in fostering wellbeing through connection with the natural world, with a special focus on helping children thrive in outdoor settings. This passion evolved from Nina’s personal journey to becoming a forest school practitioner, which revealed that adults, just like children, deeply benefit from intentional time in nature, play-based learning, and forest school principles. In this episode:Promoting child-led learning in nature through forest schoolEngaging with nature to significantly improve mental wellbeingGetting dirty and exploring the great outdoorsEncouraging relaxation and creativity by forest bathing Embracing nature to regulate emotions and reduce stressSeeing foraging as a fun and educational family activityImproving overall quality of life by living in harmony with natureNurtured Through Nature programmes blend traditional forest school methodology with diverse enrichment activities, creating transformative experiences for children, young people, and adults alike. The programmes help participants reconnect with nature, discover new perspectives, and find joy in outdoor learning.Connect with NinaPlease connect with Nina to learn more about forest school and outdoor learning experiences and to book events and activities across Staffordshire and Cheshire.FacebookInstagramLinkedInTik TokWebsiteChoosing simple outdoor activities can foster a deeper connection with the environment – try it!Also mentioned in this podcast:Jackee HolderNational Trust – Little Moreton HallThe Woodland TrustEmma Cronin, Wild PickleSoundbites from Nina"Every child should have forest school provision.""Forest bathing helps with creativity.""Nature is a source of calm and relaxation.""We need to get back in touch with nature.""I absolutely love living here, surrounded by nature.""You won't feel worse for being in nature." Podcast Chapters00:00 Introduction to Forest School and Its Benefits06:30 Forest School in the Curriculum10:11 Personal Connection to Nature19:00 Nature and Mental Wellbeing28:07 The Importance of Natural Foods33:40 Living in Harmony with Nature36:53 Practical Tips for Engaging with Nature_ _ _A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This generous act helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.Please connect with me on your preferred platform by ⁠visiting my links pageAccess a free journal plannerJoin my bi-weekly Writing and Nature Connection newsletter