Learning to Thrive

What is the role of play, agency, compassion and nature in children’s wellbeing and development?

The animation was beautifully illustrated by Gabi Froden, animated by Diana Garcia & Nathan Brenville, written by John Servante, sound design by Richard Hughes and music by Dan Martin.

Learning to Thrive provides a space to explore how caregivers and educators might support young people to thrive.

The animation was created to help start conversations about the ways in which being connected to nature can help young people to thrive.

What does ‘learning to thrive’ mean?

There is growing evidence that young people are concerned about the state of the natural world around them. They are exposed to stories about the changing climate, biodiversity loss, habitat destruction and about the impacts this has both now, and on their futures. The feelings of anxiety and uncertainty this can cause, in turn may affect the wellbeing of young people and their wider learning and development.

There is also growing evidence that providing young people with opportunities to connect with nature could make a difference. Spending time in nature can reduce our stress and help us regulate our emotions. Could it also improve general wellbeing? Paying greater attention to the world around us has been linked to higher levels of concern for the environment and for those with which we share it. Could this increase the likelihood of finding positive responses to some of the challenges posed by living in a climate of uncertainty?

If you’re interested in supporting children to thrive in a challenging and changing climate, there is a range of materials to help reflect on the topics, engage with young people and start the conversations.

Working with our partners at Lifeworlds and BOLD, we have created a set of learning and support materials to sit alongside the animation. They provide ideas that can be used to engage young people in discussions and activities about their own relationship with, and connections to, the natural world around them. They also prompt us to reflect on our own experiences as adults and how these might influence how we approach these discussions.

Please explore the support material below. We’d love to hear your feedback.