Rewilding children and young people: the role of education and schools

Prince, Heather ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6199-4892 (2022) Rewilding children and young people: the role of education and schools. In: Hawkins, Sally, Convery, Ian, Carver, Steve and Beyers, Rene, (eds.) Routledge handbook of rewilding. Taylor and Francis Group, London, UK, pp. 295-303. Full text not available from this repository.

(Contact the author)

Abstract

Recent research has shown that we are losing the language of nature. Words such as ‘tweet’, ‘cloud’, ‘web’, and ‘stream’ now have a greater technological meaning for children and young people (National Trust, 2019). The importance of spending time in nature for children goes beyond nature literacy and cognitive knowledge, with wide-ranging outcomes to support, for example, physical and mental health and wellbeing, care, and concern for the environment, and personal, social, and emotional development. Teaching and learning in natural spaces and places linked to the formal curriculum provides memorably relevant learning and authentic, contextualised opportunities to extend classroom-based education. Following a nature-led, human-enabled approach, teachers can facilitate innovative and imaginative approaches to learning in natural environments to foster children’s curiosity and enjoyment. However, attempts at rewilding children and young people in schools compete with other challenges of neo-liberalist education systems. Sustained teacher commitment to an enabling curriculum (Prince, 2020), the use of safe local spaces and places, key initiatives and a risk benefit approach can manifest successful outdoor learning in primary schools (Prince, 2019). The challenge is to sustain time in nature into adolescence, and within complex social and economic situations.

Item Type:	Book Section
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISBN:	9781003097822
Departments:	Institute of Science and Environment > Outdoor Studies
Additional Information:	Heather Prince is Professor of Outdoor and Environmental Education at the University of Cumbria, UK. She is interested in creative and innovative pedagogic practice of outdoor learning in schools and higher education, adventure, and sustainability.
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
SWORD Depositor:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	09 Nov 2022 11:03
Last Modified:	13 Jan 2024 14:02
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/6666