ABSTRACT
This chapter adapts from Coming Back to Life: The Updated Guide to the Work That Reconnects, by Joanna Macy and Molly Brown. The Work That Reconnects is designed to help people discover and experience their innate connections with one other and with the healing powers of the web of life. During the 1970s, Eric Chivian, staff psychiatrist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, interviewed many schoolchildren in his work with Educators for Social Responsibility regarding the threat of nuclear war. The chapter contains teaching practices to help elementary-aged children enhance their mental well-being in the face of climate disruption. The growing field of environmental education and nature awareness offers terrific activities. The originating impulse of all religious and spiritual traditions is gratitude for the gift of life. Gratitude practices come easily to children, and can include many nature-related activities.
