Activity Introduction

Quick summary: This activity is designed to encourage children to spend more time outside in green spaces. There is a significant body of research now available that suggests that access to ‘green spaces’ plays a significant role in assisting children to reach their full potential in terms of their development, mental and physical health and wellbeing. Green spaces provide numerous stimuli for the senses. When there is an intensity of sensorial input (multiple senses at the same time) children’s brain and physical developmental opportunities are optimised. This is critical for all human development, but particularly young children experiencing a very rapid developmental stage.

This activity is designed to help connect children to the wonders of the natural world through sensory and play-based learning.

EYLF Learning Outcome

Elaborations

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

2.  Children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience and sense of agency

4. Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect

Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world

1. Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active civic participation

3. Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment

Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

2. Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing

Outcome 4: Children are involved and confident learners

1. Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity

2. Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, enquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating

3.  Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies, and natural and processed materials

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

1. Children interact verbally and non verbally with others for a range of purposes

2. Children engage with a range of texts and get meaning from these texts

3. Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media

5. Children use information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking

Equipment needed: You will need a range of pots or containers; soil; mulch or straw; a range of seeds or seedlings (depending on the activity you are going to do); clipboards; drawing materials; magnifying glasses; loose parts and art and craft materials.

Supporting resources:

Other resources:

 

 The Child in Nature (https://youtu.be/wsIYWEodnz0)

 

The team at Cool Australia continually reviews and refines our Early Learning resources in line with expert advice and current educational practices.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Background information

Content information for educators (also suitable for parents): We often hear in the media that children are suffering from an increasing range of both mental and physical diseases, including depression, anxiety, diabetes, obesity, asthma, allergies, etc. Simply providing opportunities for your children to play outside will help them to grow up both happy and healthy. What is your fondest childhood memory….?

There is a growing body of research, as well as a great deal of media coverage about the amount of time children, are now spending inside, connected to electronic devices, rather than having regular opportunities to be outside. There are a number of reasons suggested for this including increasing urbanisation and reduced access to green spaces, risks associated with outdoor play, and our increasingly busy and scheduled lifestyles. This is having a significant effect on children’s development, health and wellbeing.

Nature Play WA (https://youtu.be/-vAulkMl

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