Level Three (Part 1)

This level of the Nature Connection Pyramid is about making meaning in order to achieve a deeper and more philosophical relationship with nature; it is the start of a verbal and symbolic connection with the natural world. This chapter explores how children make meaning of the world through nature connection and illustrates the processes of play in nature. For children, this is also about working with change and impermanence and leads into the metaphorical meanings of nature. This chapter notes how nature doesn’t just have impact on individuals’ emotional wellbeing; it also builds social cohesion. It proposes five activities to promote nature connection and explains what a child will learn from each one.