Upstream Thinking in ASN: Why Prevention Matters

This week I have been reading Dan Heath’s book Upstream, and it has made me think deeply about the crisis in support for children with additional support needs (ASN or SEND if you are in England). Every day there are news articles, reports and social media posts filled with the anguish of parents, carers and […]

🌿 It Makes Sense: How Nature, Nurture and Play Support Sensory Integration

Over the past 15 years of Nature Nurture practice, we have welcomed many children into our sessions who arrive overwhelmed, overstimulated, or dysregulated — both physically and emotionally. Others come to us flat and disconnected, lacking energy, motivation, or a sense of engagement. Some are constantly on the move — spinning, crashing, touching — seeking the sensory input their bodies need to feel organised […]

Pushing the Cart Up the Hill: How Confidence Really Grows

Have you ever cursed yourself for making a mistake and said words like “stupid” out loud?

I’ll hold my hands up straight away and admit it – I’m rubbish at modelling self-belief sometimes.

Many of the children we’ve met over the years who have been referred to Nature Nurture have experienced repeated failure that’s left a legacy of destructive self-talk and low self-esteem.

In Nature Nurture we’re in the business of helping children build resilience. But that raises an uncomfortable question: why does it matter how I talk to myself – both internally and out loud?

Emotional Literacy, Neurodiversity and the Power of Going Outside

Today I’m preparing the Nature Nurture in Action session on Emotional Literacy, which I’ll be delivering to our Aberdeenshire Council Nature Nurture Practitioners as part of their ongoing professional learning. This is the fifth module in the programme, and in this first session we explore what emotional literacy really means — and how it can be meaningfully supported through outdoor play and nature-based practice.

Becoming Mindful of Stress – FREE activity sheets for children

Wishing you all a Happy New Year! Let’s hope this year is calm and peaceful. Stress is something I have been thinking a great deal about recently. Daniel and I currently support many children who are struggling with high levels of stress. They communicate this to us and their teachers through their behaviour. It is […]