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About
Who is it for
Nurturing a love of nature through play
Growing with Nature is a program for families and educators who value and support nature-based play and learning. It is an inclusive movement that can be easily integrated into a wide range of lifestyles and educational approaches. Some of our families have chosen the path of home education, while others have embarked on the exciting journey of unschooling. Many others use our nature-based, experiential curriculum to complement traditional schooling.
Our approach is:
Child led - Children are given the time and freedom to explore at their own pace, following their natural curiosity, instinct and ideas. There is no schedule, and children are unhurried in their explorations - in fact they are encouraged to take time to observe, reflect, make decisions and evaluate risks.
Gentle and respectful - We encourage children to move gently in the natural environment, among their peers, and in their use of tools. We observe changes and transformations in the natural surroundings, learn about nature's rhythms and seasonal changes. Over time, children develop a deep sense of ownership and connection to that space. An increasing sense of security and self-confidence fosters their growing independence.
Supportive of risk-taking and adventure - Kids know how much risk they can handle, and since they are unhurried they have the invaluable opportunity to try and repeat until they can master a task. Adults offer support and supervision but there is minimal interference. This does not mean, of course, that we put our children at risk. We take safety very, very seriously.
Play, learn & grow with us
Our nature school is located on the Sunshine Coast, Qld Australia. We offer weekly bush kindy / forest school and nature play sessions at the beautiful Noosa Botanic Gardens, as well as community events such as our annual solstice gathering, beach clean ups and special excursions. Our experiential program is also delivered to local primary schools and early childhood centres.
Can't join us in person? Go at your own pace with our book Growing with Nature - A year of play, creativity, rituals and mindfulness following the rhythm of nature. Or join one of our Storytelling with Nature workshops to learn about transformative storytelling and story listening tools that will help you create, heal and strengthen nature connection within your family, classroom and communities.
See you out there,
Lidia
About me
Big Scrub Nature Play was created as a space where children, families and communities can slow down, reconnect with nature, and rediscover the power of play and story.
I’m Lidia — a nature-based educator, community facilitator, and Restorative Storytelling™ practitioner with over seven years’ experience designing and leading programs that support connection, wellbeing and belonging.
My work sits at the intersection of nature, play and storytelling. I am deeply interested in how these elements support emotional wellbeing, imagination and a sense of place — not through performance or pressure, but through presence, listening and relationship.
Over the past seven years, I have facilitated forest school and nature play sessions, storytelling programs, workshops and community events across the Northern Rivers and Sunshine Coast. I am the founder of Big Scrub Nature Play and the author of Growing with Nature, a book exploring nature connection, creativity and mindfulness through the rhythm of the seasons.
Alongside my work with children and families, I now also offer Restorative Storytelling for Nature Connection — a reflective, experiential professional development offering for educators, councils and community organisations. This work supports wellbeing and connection through story, nature and gentle facilitation, and is designed to nourish both practitioners and the communities they serve.
My approach is wellbeing-centred, relational and inclusive. I value slowness, curiosity, consent and care, and I design experiences that honour each participant’s pace and voice. Whether working with children, educators or communities, I aim to create spaces where people feel safe to listen, reflect and belong.
Big Scrub Nature Play remains grounded in the belief that meaningful experiences don’t need to be rushed or over-structured — they need time, trust and connection. This philosophy continues to guide all of my work.
If you’d like to learn more about workshops, professional development opportunities, or community collaborations, you’re warmly invited to get in touch.
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Formal qualifications
Level 3 qualified Forest School Leader, recognized by The Forest School Learning Initiative UK with an International Open Awards
Full certification in Restorative Storytelling™ with David Sewell McCann from How to Story, master storyteller and co-founder of SparkleStories
Currently undertaking a certification in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders to support children with additional needs, including learning disabilities, attachment difficulties, and children needing support with cognitive, language and fine and gross motor skills.