Help kids to love the outdoors

Click for full story

“Those natural tools create open-ended imaginative play that we could never do with a man-made or built piece of equipment or art supply. We thought
if we did it properly, then we’d have a model that other services could take on that, potentially, benefits all children.” Doug Fargher
http://www.aww.com.au/mother-and-baby/expert-advice-for-mums/outside-play-24574

Port Fairy Bush Kinder

"The bush kinder model equiped children with problem solving skills, resilience and greater self awareness and self regulation" says teacher Daneel Robinson in a story in the Warrnambool Standard.

Story here

Growth of the Bush Kinder movement

The massive growth in the number of bush kinders demonstrates Australians thirst to reconnect children with nature. 

The more time children spend in nature the happier, healthier and smarter they are.

Professional Development Seminar at Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens

abc radio 774 Hilary Harper talks to Doug about Bush Kinder

https://soundcloud.com/774-abc-melbourne/teacher-doug-fargher-joined-hilary-harper-to-talk-about-bush-kinder

Bush Gathering group is now ECO Learning Network

The Bush Gathering group has grown and now represents a large number of outdoor groups, services, and educators.
The Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Network is a forum for educators to share their experience of providing early childhood education outdoors, learn from each other, and promote outdoor learning for young children.
It is wonderful to see the growth of the bush movement. 

http://earlychildhoodoutdoorlearning.weebly.com

More Nature in Early Childhood Services

Last week I had the pleasure of running professional learning sessions for educators in Banyule and Boroondara. It is great to hear that many participants are already incorporating nature and the outdoors into their programs. They are noticing the benefits and are are looking at ways to extend their practice.