On Building Dens: The How and the Why

Building Dens: A universal childhood experience Our fifth cohort of Aberdeenshire Council’s Nature Nurture Practitioners are now well into the final module of the Nature Nurture in Practice training programme. This stage of the journey focuses on the practical application of everything we have explored so far: understanding the principles of the Nature Nurture Approach, recognising […]

🌿 From Doubt to Direction: Growing Professional Confidence

Do you ever carry that quiet, nagging feeling that you’re not taking your children outside enough?  There’s a strong and welcome push for more outdoor learning. We know it matters. But inside, things can feel more contained. More predictable. More manageable. Outside, everything shifts – the space, the risks, the unknowns, especially when the weather turns or the day isn’t going to plan.  […]

Growth Mindset and the Nature Nurture Approach

Way back in 2009, I was buzzing to attend my first Scottish Learning Festival. I packed my days with as many presentations, workshops and conversations as possible. At the end of day one, though, a quiet realisation crept in: I had gravitated towards sessions that neatly aligned with my existing values and beliefs.

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?

Why Resilience Matters – Right Now!

For nearly 20 years, I’ve been reflecting on resilience—why some children seem to lack it while others possess it in abundance, even in the face of immense adversity. I’ve also wondered how we, through Nature Nurture, can help children develop resilience. Recently, these reflections came into sharp focus as I prepared and delivered workshops for […]