Volume/Issue :

Article type :

Case studies

Page No :

26-33

Abstract :

The habits and experiences formed in childhood have a long-term impact on a person’s lifestyle and well-being. It is important to find ways to promote children’s emotional well-being and a healthy relationship with their environment at an early age. Conscious, purposeful time spent in a forest environment can have a positive impact on the emotional health of preschool-aged children, helping them calm down, better recognize their emotions, strengthen interpersonal relationships, and increase overall emotional comfort in the educational process. The aim of the study was to reveal the impact of forest therapy on the emotional health of preschool-aged children. Planned educational activities were carried out “Little Hedgehog’s Dreams: Sensory Reading Experiences in the Forest,” a photography exhibition titled “Signs of Spring in the Forest,” creative workshops (drawing on birch bark and tree trunks), a musical drawing activity set to M. K. Čiurlionis’s music “In the Forest,” educational excursions along the nature trail in Rozalimas Forest Park, a live broadcast of wild animals, and more. In summary, children’s emotional health is an important part of a holistic, healthy lifestyle, significantly influencing their development, learning, and social relationships. The experiential, creative, and exploratory activities conducted in nature demonstrated that the forest environment provides favorable conditions for children to experience positive emotions, develop creativity and exploratory skills, and strengthen their connection with nature. Following the implementation of forest-based educational activities, positive changes in children’s well-being and behavior were observed: sleep quality and rest improved, attention span and focus increased, and irritability and hyperactivity decreased. Children express and identify their emotions more frequently and clearly, have become more empathetic toward their peers, are able to resolve conflict situations more effectively, and cooperate more actively with one another. More positive and stable interpersonal relationships, greater curiosity, and increased engagement in activities are also observed, and in nature, children behave more responsibly, consciously avoiding littering and taking care to preserve the environment.

Keywords :

forest therapy, preschool age, children’s emotional health, educational activities in the forest

References :

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Cite as :

Čerečkienė, R., & Mikelevičienė, D. (2025). Miško terapijos poveikis ikimokyklinio amžiaus vaikų emocinei sveikatai [The effects of forest therapy on the emotional health of preschool-aged children]. Gamtamokslinis ugdymas bendrojo ugdymo mokykloje / Natural Science Education in a Comprehensive School, 31, 26–33. https://doi.org/10.48127/gu/25.31.26