Activity Introduction
Quick summary: This activity is designed to get children into nature whether it is in the backyard, a local bushland reserve or a wild space. Younger children will experience nature through all their senses. Older children will explore various natural environments to gain a deeper understanding of nature and their connections to it. They also learn respect and care for all living things as nature play assists children to understand the world around them.
This activity is designed to help connect children to the wonders of the natural world through sensory and play-based learning.
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EYLF Learning Outcome |
Elaborations |
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Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world |
3. Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment |
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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 |
Equipment needed:
- A garden or yard, local bushland area or wild space (beach, forest, creek, or bush).
- Clipboards,
- Pencils / crayons (or other tool for mark making),
- Paper bags or baskets,
- Camera
- A range of natural materials and loose parts (seed pods, bark, sand, soil, water, flowers, leaves, sticks, rocks, bark, herbs, etc).
- Access to water, soil or sand (either outside or in containers).
Supporting resources:
Other resources:
- Cool Australia Biodiversity Digital Library
- Cool Australia Biodiversity video (below)
- The Children and Nature Network: Research supporting Nature Play
- Nature Play WA Video
- Nature Play Promotion
- Nature Play Short Clip
The team at Cool Australia continually reviews and refines our Early Learning resources in line with expert advice and current educational practices.
Background information