Nature Nurtures: Mind, Body & Spirit

Explore the profound connection between nature, play, and therapy and their impact on our development from infancy to adulthood. In this episode, we delve into how natural environments and therapeutic practices support and enhance our emotional, mental, and physical well-being at every stage of life.

Through insightful interviews with experts, personal stories, and research-backed discussions, we explore the powerful role that nature-informed education and therapeutic play have on our growth and resilience. Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, or lifelong learner, this podcast offers valuable perspectives and practical tools to foster holistic development in ourselves and the communities around us.
From playful interactions in childhood to therapeutic practices in later years, join us as we celebrate the transformative power of nature, play, and healing, empowering humans of all ages to thrive and grow.

Objectives:
- Define nature-informed education, play, and therapy.
- Describe evidence of the benefits of nature for health and well-being across the lifespan.
- Identify ways to promote health and well-being utilizing outdoor spaces

Angela Rekers-Power, PhD

Angela is an Associate Professor at St. Ambrose University, teaching in the School of Education teacher preparation program. She holds a BA in English and teaching licensure in secondary Language Arts. However, after teaching in a breeze-block high school in the late 1980s, she decided she needed to be outside more often than not! She completed her MSc in Environmental Education for Sustainability and spent the next 20 years working for a UK non-profit as a Forest School leader facilitating outdoor learning and play for learners of all ages and abilities. She also trained teaching staff to become Forest School and outdoor learning and play facilitators, and consulted in developing school grounds for learning. In 2020, Angela completed her PhD study of young children’s participation in the classroom and in the woodlands, using ecological and developmental psychology theories for analysis.

Angela McCombs, OTD

Angie is the program director and senior lecturer at St. Ambrose University's Occupational Therapy program. Angie has been an occupational therapist for 17 years, primarily working with pediatrics across various settings. Her interest is in promoting social participation for children and youth within the community setting. Angie has completed trainings in outdoor learning environments from North Carolina State University and Outdoor Kids Occupational Therapy. Her bachelor's degree is in Health Sciences from Purdue University, and her clinical doctorate is from Washington University in St. Louis.