About This Lesson
Nature offers one of the simplest and most effective ways to support emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and help students reconnect with themselves and the world around them. Whether it's listening to birds, watching clouds drift by, or taking a short walk outside, spending time in nature can boost positive emotions, improve focus, and encourage mindfulness.
This outdoor SEL mini pack helps students slow down, notice the natural world, and reflect on how time outdoors influences their emotions and wellbeing. Through simple, flexible, autism-friendly activities, students build awareness of their relationship with nature while creating meaningful habits they can carry into summer and beyond.
Students will reflect on favorite outdoor places, track their own nature adventures, and practice gratitude for the natural spaces that bring them joy and calm.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- Nature Connection Personal Reflection activity (write, draw, or share about a favorite outdoor place)
- Wild Time Tracker (track outdoor adventures, time spent in nature, and positive emotions experienced)
- Thank You Postcard to Nature gratitude activity
- Teacher implementation suggestions
- Autism-friendly visual supports
- Access to additional Nature Prescriptions lesson ideas and resources
Why you’ll love this activity bundle:
- Encourages mindfulness and appreciation for the natural world
- Supports emotional regulation and positive wellbeing
- Helps students build healthy outdoor habits for summer and beyond
- Promotes gratitude, reflection, and self-awareness
- Supports IEP and BIP goals related to emotional regulation, communication, and engagement
- Designed with autism-friendly, flexible learning needs in mind
Ways to use:
- Summer learning packets and enrichment
- Outdoor classroom lessons
- School counseling or small group sessions
- Special education and autism support classrooms
- Family activities and home learning
- Morning meetings or mindfulness breaks
What is Nature Prescriptions?
Nature has an undeniable impact on our wellbeing. Yet, time in nature has been on a steady decline since the 1980s, with people spending more time indoors and disconnected from nature. We need nature now more than ever. Originating from research on the restorative effects of nature, a Nature Prescription encourages you to spend at least 120 minutes per week outdoors, whether that’s a walk in the park, gardening or simply sitting under a tree. Doctors across the globe are now prescribing nature to improve mood, reduce anxiety and promote wellbeing. But the key is to intentionally cultivate a deeper connection with nature to fully experience its benefits. And the best part? You don’t need to live near an ocean or national park to feel the effects. Small doses of nature, or even noticing and incorporating nature into your indoor spaces, can make a big impact. Not all nature experiences look the same. Find what works for you — the spaces, textures, sounds and sensory experiences that bring a sense of joy, serenity, and connection.
Science of Nature Prescriptions
Time spent in nature promotes happiness, wellbeing and life satisfaction across diverse populations. Nature’s benefits are both psychological and physiological: reducing stress, boosting mood, improving heart health, restoring attention and more. For autistic individuals, increased time in nature is linked to improved sensory, social, behavioral functioning, focus and greater subjective wellbeing. Research indicates that at least 120 minutes per week is the dose of nature we need to thrive. If going outside to be in nature feels out of reach, research shows that simply seeing nature — through a window, a photograph, video or even indoor plants — can have positive effects.
BENEFITS
People who spend time in nature are more likely to experience:
- Increased prosocial behavior and cooperation
- Increased positive emotions like awe, serenity, and gratitude
- Enhanced self-esteem and resilience
- Increased social connection and empathy
- Decreased blood pressure, asthma, and risk of heart disease
- Enhanced focus and cognitive performance
- Higher levels of life satisfaction and wellbeing
- Reduced stress, depression and anxiety
Additionally, individuals with learning, intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who spend time in nature may experience:
- Improved sensory, social, and behavioral functioning
- Increased attention and focus
- Enhanced emotional regulation
- Improved motor skills
- Greater subjective wellbeing
Looking for More Nature Prescriptions Resources?
Explore the free Nature Prescriptions Unit Study, which includes teaching slides, additional worksheets and activities, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Proof Positive’s resources are and will always be free. Be well!
Bonus access to full lesson plans and unit studies on the skills of happiness at our Skill Center.
