Nature Play Academy

Spend enough time with children outdoors and you will witness multiple acts of strength, power and bravery. Nature presents us with new challenges and opportunities for growth everyday. Through nature we find out things about ourselves that we never knew and with this new knowledge we grow more aware and able to shape the world around us (we become more powerful). When a child realises they can cut through a branch, climb up - and down - a tree, scale a sand dune, balance on a log over water, ride a rapid, even dig a hole - they begin to see themselves as capable, as strong - as masters of their destiny! This self image/inter-personal knowledge opens up so many new possibilities to engage with and learn from nature! I am so happy to be able to witness and support such profound moments in children's lives! This story of strength, power and bravery is about a boy 'J' aged 4 - a keen explorer who is very eager to master all our bush tools! He arrives to our nature s...

Exploring a new nature site is so exciting and stimulating for a child. There is so much to see, smell, touch and hear! We have noticed a keen eagerness among the playgroup children on their first visits to Nature Play Academy. They literally hit the ground running! Bounding out of the car (safely) and getting stuck into the tools or an activity quicker than you can say: "thequickbrownfoxjumpsoverthelazydog.." This is both refreshing and tricky to manage, for one it means we seem to be jumping from activity to activity really quickly - often without reaching the end of the original plan we set together five minutes prior 😜 and two their energy and zest for adventure drives us to lots of exciting places/discoveries.... Now I know that the attention span of our under 5's can be very short! I have however observed first hand children spending very long periods of time engaged in one particular activity or action - so I know it is possible, and will happen! Wh...

As adults we know the value of creating spaces in nature for relaxation and alone time, often our best inspiration comes when we are motivated and quiet! We seek opportunities to relax daily and understand how meditative activities enhance our physical and mental well being. Young children are still learning to appreciate being still and reflective, their natural urges to wind down, rest or seek solace are often met unknowingly and if left un-met can be the cause of behaviour problems... Yet another reason why planning for relaxation in nature is important! This child had to wade across a stream and climb up onto a large log to get into the hammock, he felt a sense of achievement by simply being able to reach his destination and was rewarded by the hammock! When designing a nature program think about how you can design your space to promote relaxation and mindfulness in nature. Hammocks are a perfect tool for nature connection, they immediately inspire a child to be calm i...

"Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives"   Thomas Berry  This famous quote from nature's historian Thomas Berry truly encapsulates just how vital experiences in nature are for children. Early childhood is a crucial period for brain development - it is when our brains plasticity is at it's greatest! Young children are more likely to experience profound benefits in their development of biophilia (affinity with nature and love for the Earth) during this crucial time. As adults it is up to us to give children as many opportunities as possible to explore and play in nature, experiences in nature should outweigh the transmission of factual knowledge in early childhood. Randy White's article on the young child's relationship with nature really hammers home why we should avoid abstract teaching - get them OUTSIDE!! " The problem with much environmental education is that it approac...