Nature Connect – Frogs’ First Week. The Beginning..

????????When we first thought about our Nature Connect Programme we knew it would be amazing and challenging and full of possibilities.  We were full of anticipation about what the week might hold, and excited to take our little people to the bush, but I don’t think any of us were fully aware of just what an awesome experience we would have – or how it would impact on us all in so many different ways.

The last two days have been about exploring, setting boundaries, and “finding our feet” as we learn to connect with Bushland Park, and with each other in this beautiful setting.  We have been honoured to have parents and volunteers share this journey with us.

There have been opportunities to look up in awe:???????? ???????? ????????????????

And to look down with wonder:????????  ????????   ???????????????????????? ???????? ????????Opportunities to marvel at the small things in nature; insects, mushrooms, flowers, leaves and even poo and a dead kangaroo!..???????? ??????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????? Opportunities to see through different lenses, in different ways, and to come to understand each other in different ways too!  ???????? ???????? ??????????????????????? ??????????????? Moments of quiet reflection, and moments to be with friends.  Overwhelmingly, it felt like this experience was about relationships – our connection to each other, and to this place.  A time to marvel at our place in the world.???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ????????  ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? A time to reflect, to ponder, and to wonder..???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? Yes there were countless opportunities for literacy and numeracy (lots of re-telling of the 3 Billy Goats Gruff and noticing signs and symbols, gathering and sorting and patterning, ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? and visually ????????representing our experiences), plenty of exploration, and high climbing and gross motor play, and times for getting muddy, and times for risk-taking, and for feeling so proud of our accomplishments, but at the end of the day, the words that stick with me are “well-being” and “connection”.  What a wonderful start to our Kindy Connect programme.  We can’t wait to see what will happen next!????????

Written by Nell

 

14 Comments

  • Karin Rozenveld
    May 26, 2015 at 11:06 pm

    What a fabulous initiative. I wish my daughter’s kindy would consider this.

  • Karin Rozenveld
    May 26, 2015 at 11:06 pm

    What a fabulous initiative. I wish my daughter’s kindy would consider this.

  • Nic Wood
    May 27, 2015 at 6:36 am

    Beautiful overview of an AMAZING couple of days Nell (thanks 😉 ) , I’m so excited about the potential of this amazing program and all it can offer us and the children. ‘Nature Connect’ is finally a reality and will continue to build deeper reciprocal relationships between everyone and everything involved. I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

  • Nic Wood
    May 27, 2015 at 6:36 am

    Beautiful overview of an AMAZING couple of days Nell (thanks 😉 ) , I’m so excited about the potential of this amazing program and all it can offer us and the children. ‘Nature Connect’ is finally a reality and will continue to build deeper reciprocal relationships between everyone and everything involved. I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

  • Janice
    May 27, 2015 at 6:58 am

    And that is only in two days. The children have already shown us so much can be achieved when we can spend time in the bush with nature. Relationships have been strengthened and lifetime memories are being made. Nature Connect is taking flight and is going to be Amazing. What a great team of educators I am privellaged to work with…

  • Janice
    May 27, 2015 at 6:58 am

    And that is only in two days. The children have already shown us so much can be achieved when we can spend time in the bush with nature. Relationships have been strengthened and lifetime memories are being made. Nature Connect is taking flight and is going to be Amazing. What a great team of educators I am privellaged to work with…

  • A grandparent
    May 27, 2015 at 7:24 am

    It’s a real treat to see Lobethal Kindy kids getting out of the ‘classroom’ and touching the real world.
    Kids should eat dirt and fall over….
    Thank you on behalf of my grandchildren!

  • A grandparent
    May 27, 2015 at 7:24 am

    It’s a real treat to see Lobethal Kindy kids getting out of the ‘classroom’ and touching the real world.
    Kids should eat dirt and fall over….
    Thank you on behalf of my grandchildren!

  • April
    May 27, 2015 at 7:54 am

    I feel absolutely privileged and blessed to have been involved in yesterday’s bush kindy program. This is a beautiful post which highlights both visually and in writing the amazing learning and experiences all the children had. While a picture can tell 1000 words, I reflect on the moments these pictures have captured and I’m not sure 1000 words would be able to express their value. Thank you!

  • April
    May 27, 2015 at 7:54 am

    I feel absolutely privileged and blessed to have been involved in yesterday’s bush kindy program. This is a beautiful post which highlights both visually and in writing the amazing learning and experiences all the children had. While a picture can tell 1000 words, I reflect on the moments these pictures have captured and I’m not sure 1000 words would be able to express their value. Thank you!

  • Erika
    May 27, 2015 at 11:55 am

    Your ability and drive to continuously develop the out door kindy concept never ceases to amaze me! I cannot wait to have a kindy kid again next year.

  • Erika
    May 27, 2015 at 11:55 am

    Your ability and drive to continuously develop the out door kindy concept never ceases to amaze me! I cannot wait to have a kindy kid again next year.