This publication responds to the growing abuse of permanently connected technological devices in addition to the decreasing contact we all have with nature. We aim to address this issues by providing innovative and inclusive non-formal education tools for interested youthworkers, facilitators and educators.
Nowadays, we are all becoming more and more used to using our mobiles and other screen devices all day round. This translates into a craving for quick access to content, permanent stimulation, generating “continuous partial attention”, which experts link to the undermining of social interactions, creativity and academic performance.
Another side to this urban, sedentary, screen-based lifestyle is the loss of contact with nature. Richard Louv, whom we interview in this book, has established the nature deficit disorder as a possible condition which especially affects young people detached from natural environments, also known as “ecological illiteracy”. Numerous studies have shown the importance of interacting with nature as it contributes to the health and wellbeing of young people, increasing their ability to concentrate and better manage emotions.
To address these issues, this manual provides specific non-formal tools based on the synergy of mindfulness and nature-based methodologies as well as complementary resources to implement them. We find that nature and mindfulness tools together have the potential to offer deep, meaningful and self-reflective experiences capable of providing real added-value to youthwork.
In this book you will find an introduction to the above mentioned topics, interviews with experts, our proposed activities, testimonials and extra resources. In other words, everything you will need to incorporate the nature and mindfulness in your work as facilitator or educator.
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