Spending time in nature can reduce stress, increase mood and attention, and spark joy and connection. There are also so many opportunities for communication! But for many AAC users, getting outside is not easy because of mobility, health, transportation, sensory, or accessibility barriers.
The good news is that nature can come to you. And studies show you still get the benefits that people get by going outside!
On the internet, AAC users can watch birds hatch, hear whales call to each other, observe animals at zoos around the world, or even help real scientists with their nature research.
And you can model AAC vocabulary all along the way. Suggestions for nature words to model are in capital letters below.
Let’s get talking about:
- Explore.org’s live cams are great for action words – you can SEE birds FLY, WATCH sharks SWIM, spy on bears FISHING and much more!
- Montereybayaquarium.org live cams and Marinesanctuary.org are great for underwater exploration and describing words – see SLIMY jellyfish, LONG, WAVY kelp, SHY fish and SCARY spider crabs!
- Allaboutbirds.org can inspire lots of questions – WHAT bird is that? WHY do they have a nest? WHEN will the chicks hatch? WHAT are they eating? WHO can help them? WHERE are they and WHEN are they coming back?
- Zoo.sandiegozoo.org is good for opinions – pandas are my FAVORITE! The tigers are BORING – they are just sleeping. I LOVE watching the apes!
And if you want to give back to nature, you can check out online volunteer experiences about nature! These websites offer ways to add to research, like counting, problem solving, and reporting sightings and stories about animals:
- Research at Home: Citizen Science – You can help read and type out old documents written by nature researchers through the Smithsonian. AAC tip: It’s an opportunity to work on literacy, compare and contrast now and then, and problem solve and self advocate around parts that may be tricky to read.
- SciStarter and Projects | Zooniverse – You can watch for dolphins, spot comets, or track squirrels in your own backyard. AAC tip: Think about key words that can be searched to find projects of interest. Make sure you have the words in your system vocabulary to accurately participate – I don’t think asteroid or dark energy is default in many AAC systems!
As with any experience in nature, expect the unexpected! You can comment on what you see, ask questions, make predictions, tell stories, or just enjoy watching together without saying a word. There is no “right” way to do it! Everyone deserves the joy of connecting with nature and discovering something new. No matter where they are or how they communicate!
Share your comments or questions.