When nature nurtures children: nature as a containing and holding space |
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Authors: | Shawn Renee Hordyk Marion Dulude Mary Shem |
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Institution: | 1. Social Work, McGill University, 3506 University St, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3?V 1C2shawn-renee.hordyk@mcgill.ca;3. Environmental Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2X 3Y7;4. Social Work, McGill University, 3506 University St, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3?V 1C2 |
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Abstract: | Contemporary theories of childhood recognize children as experts in their own lives, individuals whose perspectives are worthy of study. Immigrant and refugee children riding waves of historical, geographical, political, cultural and familial changes are likewise recognized as ‘socially competent actors’, anchored in part by their capacity to express personal interests and to form opinions. In a Montreal-based 2012 phenomenological study, 19 of these socially competent actors representing 5 continents were invited to share their perspectives concerning the role of the natural world in their socio-cultural adaptation process. Data provided information concerning children's lived experiences of nature. Research findings provided strong evidence that children entered into relationship with nature. Within this relationship, nature nurtured children by providing a space not unlike that of Winnicott's ‘holding’ or Bion's ‘containment’. |
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Keywords: | nature children adaptation Winnicott's holding Bion's containment |
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