“How Does Nature Affect Children’s Well-Being?” with Abdul Samad Khan

As part of its “Global Reflections” series, Institute Social hosted Abdul Samad Khan, youth mentor, educator and founder of Youth Impact, an organization that designs rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for children and young people in regions across Pakistan where structural disadvantage is particularly acute, alongside leadership and capacity-building training. In the online talk titled “How Does Nature Affect Children's Well-Being?”, held on February 19, 2026, Khan examined the effects of engagement with nature on learning processes, emotion regulation skills, and sense of belonging among children and youth. Drawing on his field experience, he discussed, through concrete examples, the impact of contact with nature on stress reduction, attention development, and community belonging.

Khan argued that constant connectivity has created a form of “cognitive pollution” particularly among Generation Alpha and Generation Z, adding that nature holds a scientifically grounded restorative power capable of addressing this fragmentation. “When young people spend time in nature without any devices, the nervous system enters a process of neuroregulation,” he said, emphasizing that nature is not merely a backdrop but an active regulator that restores balance to the nervous system.

Drawing on Richard Louv’s concept of “nature-deficit disorder,” Khan described the remedy for this modern ailment as “returning to our roots.” “Just like a vitamin deficiency, if nature is missing from your life, you need sunlight, fresh air, and the experience of nature through all your senses,” he said, underscoring that contact with nature is a fundamental human necessity.

According to Khan, children who play on uneven terrain, climb trees, and encounter uncertainty develop problem-solving, resilience, and social skills at a faster rate. He noted that the free and unstructured environment nature provides prepares children for the complexity of real life. “A child learning the lesson of ‘never give up’ from a ladybug in their hand is the simplest example of the mirror nature holds up to our soul,” he said.

Turning to education and public policy, Khan called for a structural rethinking of how nature is integrated into children’s lives. Educational models, he argued, must either bring nature into the classroom or move the classroom into nature. Urban planning and school design should prioritize safe, accessible green spaces, recognizing nature as a foundational element for focus, emotional regulation, and long-term well-being.

In closing, Khan reflected that throughout history, the most profound spiritual transformations have taken place through contact with nature. He described nature as a powerful “prescription” that must be placed at the center of public health strategies in response to today’s mental and emotional crises. The session concluded with a Q&A segment, where participants engaged further with the themes of digital overload, resilience, and the restorative power of the natural world.