Regenerative Education: Learning that Heals and Connects- KIDS VERSION

The world is changing fast, and the way we learn needs to keep up! Regenerative Education is a new way of learning that’s all about helping students grow as whole people. It’s not just about grades — it’s about caring for ourselves, each other, and the planet. Regenerative education helps students learn in a way that makes them strong, kind, and connected to the world.

What is Regenerative Education?

Regenerative education is different from traditional school. It’s about more than reading, math, or tests. It’s a way of learning that helps students understand themselves, care for their community, and protect nature. Think of it as growing a healthy garden where every plant, animal, and person has a place!

The Three Big Ideas in Regenerative Education

Regenerative education is based on three important connections:

1. Connection to Self: Knowing and caring for yourself.
2. Connection to Others: Working together and caring for people around us.
3. Communing with Nature: Caring for the earth and understanding we are part of it.

source: The Minds Journal

Let’s look at each one!

1. Connection to Self

To grow and learn, it’s important to understand yourself — what you’re good at, what you love, and how you feel. Here are some ways students learn to connect with themselves:

• Emotional Smarts: Learning to understand and handle your feelings helps you make friends and stay calm during challenges.
• Mindfulness and Thinking Time: Taking a few quiet minutes to relax or think about your goals can help you feel clear and focused. Writing in a journal can also help!
• Growth Mindset: This is a fancy way of saying, “I can get better if I keep trying.” When you believe you can improve, you become more confident and open to learning.

2. Connection to Others

Learning isn’t just about working alone — it’s about connecting with others, too! Here’s how students learn to connect with people:

• Teamwork and Sharing Ideas: Doing group projects teaches students to listen to each other and work together.
• Helping the Community: When students do activities to help their community, they feel more connected and responsible for making their town or city a better place.

• Learning about Different Cultures: Understanding other people’s backgrounds and cultures helps us see that the world is full of different ways of thinking and living.

3. Connection to Nature

Regenerative education teaches that we’re part of nature — not separate from it. Taking care of our planet is like taking care of our own home. Here’s how students connect with nature:

• Learning in Nature: Spending time outside, learning about plants, animals, rivers, and trees helps us feel part of the natural world. This might mean going on a nature walk or planting a school garden.

• Hands-On Learning: Doing things like exploring a forest or working in a garden lets students see, feel, and understand nature up close.

• Earth-Friendly Habits: Learning about recycling, saving energy, and protecting wildlife helps students make choices that are good for the earth.

How Teachers and Parents Can Help

Teachers and parents can make regenerative education part of everyday life:

• In the Classroom: Teachers can create projects that connect school subjects to real-life issues, like learning about the environment through science projects.
• At Home: Parents can show eco-friendly habits, like reducing consumption and reducing waste, and encourage kids to ask questions about nature and the world.
• Together: Both teachers and parents can talk to kids about kindness, curiosity, and caring for our planet and community.

Regenerative education helps students become strong, caring, and curious people who care for themselves, others, and the world. By learning this way, students can grow up to make the world a better, healthier place for everyone!