Association For Child And Adolescent Mental Health (acamh)

In this episode of Mind the Kids, ‘Rewilding Childhood: Why Nature Matters in Mental Health’ host Mark Tebbs sits down with Dr. Nicole Harris, educational psychologist and lead author of a major systematic review on nature connectedness in children and young people. Together, they explore why fostering a felt relationship with nature—beyond simply spending time outdoors—can be transformative for learning, behaviour, and wellbeing. Dr. Harris explains that nature connectedness is about developing a meaningful, emotional bond with the natural world—a connection that supports not only cognitive skills like attention, but also social skills and self-regulation. Drawing on theories such as attention restoration, stress reduction, and the emerging polyvagal theory, the conversation unpacks how nature can help calm the nervous system, making children more ready to learn and engage. The discussion highlights practical, low-cost ways schools and communities can nurture nature connectedness, from art projects and gar