Nature Play

Being outdoors brings me a profound sense of peace, calming the busyness of my mind. I’ve learned to truly appreciate my surroundings, to notice the details, to marvel at the gifts of nature, and to feel the energy of Papatūānuku flowing through me. I take a deep breath in and slowly exhale, absorbing the sounds and scents around me, always in awe of the beauty that surrounds me.

My relationship with nature hasn’t always been this way. Over the past decade, my connection to the natural world has deepened and continues to grow stronger. While I understood that being outside had its benefits, I underestimated the extent to which nature would enhance my emotional well-being and strengthen my bond with tamariki, as well as their connection to me and Papatūānuku.

This connection inspired me to explore nature-based play for young children. The more I discovered, the more I shared with my colleagues, leading us to understand the rich, authentic learning that comes from spending time in nature. As a team, we decided to incorporate outdoor experiences into our programs. We began with nature walks, discussing and visiting various venues for suitability. We completed our planning, conducted risk assessments, obtained parental permission, and embarked on what we called Forest Education, soon shortened to Forest Ed.

Upon arriving at our destination, we would set off on our walk, adults and tamariki chatting together. We’d pause for morning kai, enjoy a little playtime, and then make our way back along the paths to our cars. It was a lovely morning in nature, but our youngest tamariki sometimes stayed in their prams, while every fortnight brought a new venue to explore. Occasionally, we’d spot a duck or a spider’s web shimmering in the sunlight, commenting with minimal engagement from the tamariki. Our journey would continue to our designated spot for kai.

Gradually, conversations began to emerge from the tamariki. “Is it your Forest Ed day today, Mel?” The children were particularly excited about Mel’s Forest Ed days, as she revisited the same venue. In our early discussions, we recognised the importance of ngā tamariki connecting with Papatūānuku, but we initially overlooked the significance of feeling connected to a specific space. We realised that repetition strengthens these connections, so we decided to revisit the same nature space every fortnight.

Now, our mornings in nature are no longer measured by distance but by what we see, hear, smell, feel, and discover. Tamariki of all ages splash in puddles, dig in the dirt, slip and slide in the mud, and walk or crawl on both wet and dry grass. Rich conversations arise, such as, "Why is that leaf brown?" We uncover new knowledge, like discovering that pine nuts come from pine cones, and express disappointment when there are "no puddles today". We witness the seasons change, visit by visit. The sheer joy on the faces of tamariki who persevere and succeed is a sight to behold, boosting their confidence and nurturing a love for the outdoors.

Outdoor learning is now an integral part of our program. Through trial and error, we’ve learned how to dress appropriately for various conditions in Ōtautahi, both for the tamariki and ourselves.

Now, more than ever, we must find ways to immerse ourselves and our tamariki in natural environments. Each day, we learn more about nature and its impact on our physical and mental health. As kaiako, we have a unique opportunity to foster awareness and cultivate life-long lovers of nature by providing experiences that allow tamariki to connect with the outdoors, fully engage with the elements, and play as we once did.

Bec Knight

Contact us to find out more about incorporating Nature Play into your programme, whether it be at your home or in your educational setting. We can tailor make group or individual workshops to fit your needs.