Nature journal

There’s something deeply transformative that happens when children are given space to play, explore, and connect with the natural world. In a Forest School setting, they are free to be their truest selves — curious, creative, and wonderfully alive. For many children, this is more than play; it’s a form of healing.

Children have always known what science is now confirming — that there is something healing about playing in the dirt.

Rachel Carson on Wonder, Parenting, and Why It Is More Important to Feel Than to Know

Children have a need and a great capacity for spiritual learning and growth. Nature helps us understand the true meaning of Namaste.

The gum tree in our backyard is in full bloom - bursting with pink flower buds and large gumnuts. I love this tree and so do the bees and the butterflies. Amongst our native birds, the rainbow lorikeets seem particularly fond of it. I watch them calling one another, landing on clusters of flowers with so much glee. Splashes of vibrant pink paint the sky and the grass. Delicate petals cover the table where I am writing. Australian summer at its best.

Discover the sensory wonders of clay play for children's development.

In a world dominated by screens and schedules, the untamed beauty of nature holds a profound gift for our children. Nature play nurtures their spirits, sparks their curiosity, and shapes them into resilient human beings. Let's explore the remarkable significance of nature play and how it sets the stage for our children's physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. Nature is the best playground Nature play presents children with a boundless playground, inviting them to run, cli

Lots of ideas for outdoor play in rainy weather

Every connection a child makes in and with nature is a building block to a strong, meaningful relationship with this beautiful planet we inhabit. It is only by encouraging and nourishing this connection that we can hope to raise a generation of children who will truly care for the Earth. Imagine the ripple effect that would make in the world. Lately we seem to be flooded with national days - from Pancakes to Save the Dandelions , some of these celebrations can be fun, some ar

We've been sinking into more core routines of nature connection over the past couple of weeks at Big Scrub Nature Play as the children have been introduced to the practices of "Fox Walking" and "Owl Eyes". Fox Walking is a sneaky way of moving through the bush, quietly and with agility, which allows us people to become "invisible" and undetected by wild creatures so that we don't scare them off! While we do that we use our Owl Eyes, to expand our vision and pay attention to a

Wow, another term is here, and it feels so good to be back outdoors after days and days of torrential rain and flooding! Over the past couple of weeks our little explorers have been getting to know each other and our Forest School site, and they've been practicing some essential awareness skills. At Forest School one of our guiding principles is RESPECT. Respect for nature, respect for ourselves and for each other. We've been exploring what that looks like by expressing

Yes, you will end up with more washing to do.. but playing with mud has so many benefits for our children. Here are some.