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WOODLAND IN PRACTICAL SKILLS THERAPEUTIC EDUCATION
Author(s) -
Mata Paula,
Gibons Kenneth,
Mata Fernando
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of research in special educational needs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 27
ISSN - 1471-3802
DOI - 10.1111/1471-3802.12258
Subject(s) - woodland , context (archaeology) , contemplation , psychology , relaxation (psychology) , perception , social psychology , aesthetics , developmental psychology , pedagogy , ecology , geography , art , epistemology , philosophy , archaeology , neuroscience , biology
Modern urban life provides less opportunities to contact with nature, which is a potential cause of developmental deviances in children. We investigated the potential therapeutic effect of woodlands, within the context of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education at the Ruskin Mill College, UK . Data on physical and emotional perceptions were collected through a questionnaire: sight was the physical sense with higher impact ( P < 0.05); contemplation, away from pressure, relaxation, peace, quietness and freedom rated higher in emotional senses ( P < 0.05). The place conveying the highest sense of comfort was the woodlands ( P < 0.05). The Biophilia Theory , and the Attention Restorative Theory , that explain the recovery from Directed Attention Fatigue through exposure to natural environments, frame these results. A considerable amount of students attending the College is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder being argued that the woodlands are a potential restorative place.