Adventure Education as a Way to Strengthen a Child’s Mental Resilience
Abstract
Various forms of outdoor education proposed by many pedagogists, psychologists and educators are ways to learn through experience in open space, outside the school classes which is. Not only the acquisition of knowledge, but also the development of motor skills, experiencing the capabilities of one’s own body, and gaining social experience through shared activities are important aspects of a child’s development. Crucial form in this field is also risky play and adventure education with its promoting and therapeutic potential. The aim of the article is to point out the meaning of adventure education for mental health promotion. The basic terms connected with the adventure education will be defined in the article. Moreover the arguments for adventure education role in the building of mental resilience in children will be discussed. The Circle of Courage Model as conceptualization of adventure education meaning in positive growth of children will be presented. Moreover the Sandra Prince-Embury conception of resiliency will be attached to clarify the building of personal resources in children. Education when taking into consideration mental health promotion in children need innovations, getting international and interdisciplinary experiences (ex. history, philosophy) what will be underlined in the article.
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