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Nature Kids

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25.01.2022 We recently read that the average American child can identify 1000 company logos but less than 5 native plants in their own neighbourhood. Australia has some of the worlds most incredible native plant species. Lets make sure our kids know and appreciate the value they bring to urban life.

25.01.2022 Wouldn't it be incredible to see Australian cities like this for both our big and small people!

24.01.2022 Why this is not necessarily new research for us we agree with the sentiment.. "Parents should take a look at what their children play with every day and think: Is this the kind of space I used to like to play in?"

24.01.2022 We love Maggie Dent and her real practical advice for parents. Read her piece on natural playgrounds below. "This return to nature-based play, when coupled with initiatives like school garden projects, will create a generation of children with healthier minds, bodies, hearts and souls" Maggie Dent

24.01.2022 Richard Louv has written many fabulous books about nature deficit disorder and its impact on our children. There is no doubt many of our city kids suffer for this. Whilst nature based play isnt a cure all it can certainly have an enormous impact... "The studies strongly suggest that time in nature can help many children learn to build confidence in themselves; reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, calm them and help them focus. There are some indications that natural play spaces can reduce bullying."

24.01.2022 This wont come as a surprise to most but the ability for children to roam particularly in urban areas has decreased significantly over the past few decades. A recent Nature Kids survey suggested from as much as 5kms 20 years ago to a mere 50m today! Many boomers, Gen X & Y parents will be familiar with the instruction of come home when the street lights come on or dont go past the main road etc. yet these days with alarming media reports and increased conversations around the risks, our children are loosing the ability to roam and the many lessons and benefits that come along with that freedom. How do you allow your nature kids freedom to roam safely?

24.01.2022 A great snapshot that shows some of the benefits of green school yards and the positive effect on our childrens mental health.

23.01.2022 With Autumn upon is in Australia what better choice than leaves for our next loose parts post!! Loose parts play allows a creative and unrestricted type of play. Children can imagine, invent, build and create. Leaves are a great sensory ingredient for loose parts play in your yard, school or local park. They also provide a fabulous ingredient for art & crafts. Creative play options are endless when it comes to loose parts play.

22.01.2022 It has been proven in several local and international studies that children are engaged for considerably longer periods of time when in nature based environments. One study showed an increase of more than 60 mins. A South Australian study also identified that children were engaged in a more creative style of play when plastic toys were replaced with natural objects in areas such as sandpits.

21.01.2022 A simple piece from Wilder Child on gifting our children time. It often feels like city life is forcing many of us to keep up but maybe its time to consider what a slow childhood can offer the entire family.. "Unfortunately, its our children who suffer most when were afflicted with the disease of being busy. It manifests in their world as developmentally inappropriate practices, chronic stress and lack of joy."

21.01.2022 "Once seen as a distraction, the outdoors is now recognized as essential to well-developed brains." This great article explores the many benefits for children learning in an outdoor environment. Wouldnt it be great if we had more opportunities for our city kids to have this available too...

21.01.2022 As hard as it is to see our little ones hurt learning injuries are such an integral part of development. Things like scrapes, bruises, splinters and scratches teach our kids so much about their own limits as well help with cognitive & gross motor skills development and build resilience. Its so important as carers we allow our children these opportunities in a safe environment

20.01.2022 If you have or more so if you havent read Richard Louvs Last Child in the Woods here comes the movie... we cant wait! Watch the teaser here..

20.01.2022 The impact for our children is real as discussed by Richard Louv in this recent article.. "diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses, a rising rate of myopia, child and adult obesity, vitamin D deficiency and other maladies" Richard shares some the great ways to include nature into our busy city lives and make it fun for both adult and child.

19.01.2022 A very real issue for many Aussie families... Its not about holding your child back its about gifting them another year of play, the highest form of education for a young child. Its time the Australian government gave families more choice.

19.01.2022 There are so many great benefits to allowing your child to play with mud!! It provides an exceptional sensory experience, gives the child a complete creative licence to do just as they imagine, the development of both gross & fine motor skills and research now shows incredible health benefits from the friendly bacterial that can be found in mud but most of all its so much FUN!! As always be on the lookout for hazards but where safe get muddy!!

19.01.2022 We believe that Self Directed Play is not just an important part of child development, its a necessary one! SDP is a style of play where the child chooses the activity, makes their own rules (or chooses none) and creates with total freedom and creative license. This type of play helps children develop their imagination, creativity, risk taking skills, awareness, confidence, cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills without fear of doing it wrong, not winning or n...ot fitting in. There is really no limits to the informal learnings that self led play can offer. Some ways we can encourage self directed play; - create space in busy calendars for regular non scheduled time for children to just play - allow boredom in downtime to ignite creativity - encourage children to play independently (whilst being supervised) - set out some loose parts play for the child to explore and create - most importantly as the carer try not to intervene unless there is a hazard to your child See more

18.01.2022 The options are endless if we start outside. Great creative, let go of time, give children enough space to explore, invent and connect with nature.

18.01.2022 A great list of books if you're interested in learning more about the importance of nature based play and some great ways to integrate it into modern life.

18.01.2022 Wouldnt it be incredible to see Australian cities like this for both our big and small people!

18.01.2022 We believe that Self Directed Play is not just an important part of child development, it’s a necessary one! SDP is a style of play where the child chooses the activity, makes their own rules (or chooses none) and creates with total freedom and creative license. This type of play helps children develop their imagination, creativity, risk taking skills, awareness, confidence, cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills without fear of doing it ‘wrong’, not ‘winning’ or n...ot fitting in. There is really no limits to the informal learnings that self led play can offer. Some ways we can encourage self directed play; - create space in busy calendars for regular non scheduled time for children to just play - allow boredom in downtime to ignite creativity - encourage children to play independently (whilst being supervised) - set out some loose parts play for the child to explore and create - most importantly as the carer try not to intervene unless there is a hazard to your child See more

17.01.2022 This won’t come as a surprise to most but the ability for children to roam particularly in urban areas has decreased significantly over the past few decades. A recent Nature Kids survey suggested from as much as 5kms 20 years ago to a mere 50m today! Many boomers, Gen X & Y parents will be familiar with the instruction of ‘come home when the street lights come on’ or ‘don’t go past the main road’ etc. yet these days with alarming media reports and increased conversations around the risks, our children are loosing the ability to roam and the many lessons and benefits that come along with that freedom. How do you allow your ‘nature kids’ freedom to roam safely?

15.01.2022 What do we you think about a nature prescription for a child who may suffer from a mental or physical health issues? There are so many excellent points in this article but none hits harder than the reality of... "there are going to be risks, but the risks of not going outdoors and continuing the pattern of 90 percent indoors is going to kill us" Have a read and tell us what you think..

15.01.2022 A great list of books if youre interested in learning more about the importance of nature based play and some great ways to integrate it into modern life.

15.01.2022 Dubai recently introduced nature based play in Jumeriah. How cool is that for a city and location like the UAE "the park connects children with the elements of nature through a mud kitchen, planting garden and fruit trees; streams, waterfalls and fountains; tree houses, wooden bridges, climbing nets and bridges"

13.01.2022 Next in our series of Nature Kids challenges ask your kids or students how many Australian native flowers they can name? A fun challenge for the adults too.

10.01.2022 "In a world that often expects children to put aside childish ways in favor of preparing for the future, we stand for the right of children to play, because we know that play is how children prepare for the future." An easy read by Patagonia that looks at how we actually define play and the importance of allowing imaginative, unstructured and self led play.

10.01.2022 First in our series of Nature Kids challenges. Ask your child/ren what their favourite thing to do when outside? Try not to lead, suggest or give answers. Allow creativity as there is no wrong or right answers. If practical schedule some time for that exact activity in the next week.

10.01.2022 Is tree climbing a lost art in your family? Wed love to hear how many of your Nature Kids climb trees and any other great benefits youve seen. Read our latest piece here http://naturekids.com.au/the-lost-art-of-climbing-trees.php

10.01.2022 Whos school is signed up for this fabulous event?! When teachers take learning outdoors they report some powerful impacts: Childrens behaviour improves, whole classes are excited to learn, and individuals who feel inhibited by the curriculum often thrive in an outdoor environment. When adults think back to their own happiest memories of childhood, they frequently recall the joy of playing outdoors. Play is not only central to childrens enjoyment of childhood, but teache...s critical life skills such as problem-solving, teamwork and creativity. Building on the success of the 2017 campaign, our aim is to get as many children as possible playing and learning outside in 2018 on Thursday 1 November. For some schools, this will be an opportunity to try learning outside the classroom for the first time. For teachers who regularly take students outdoors, the day will be a celebration of what they are doing already and a chance to inspire other schools to get involved. For everyone, Outdoor Classroom Day will act as a catalyst for more time outdoors every day. Visit www.outdoorclassroomday.com.au to sign up and be part of the Outdoor Classroom Day movement today!

09.01.2022 We love these ideas.. such a simple & creative way to get our kids moving, breathing and stretching

09.01.2022 we couldnt agree more! A recent study showed that the average Australian child spends up to 22 hours in front of a device per week vs just 5 hours of outdoor play. Tech has its place, no question but at the sacrifice of nature time How long on average do your kids spend in nature each week?

08.01.2022 The weather is changing in Sydney.. finally some rain on the way! But lets remember to enjoy all its beauty, not just through the window

08.01.2022 For those that enjoy a little Halloween fun. Read our latest post on ways to incorporate nature this year. Wed love to hear your Halloween plans whether it be at home, school or work! Link in our bio.

07.01.2022 If you have or more so if you haven't read Richard Louv's 'Last Child in the Woods' here comes the movie... we can't wait! Watch the teaser here..

06.01.2022 Read our latest piece on some very simple ways to connect your baby or toddler to nature at home. We all need a little green time, enjoy it together! http://naturekids.com.au/babies-and-nature.php

06.01.2022 A great article by Maggie Dent on the importance of allowing kids to play barefoot, particularly the little ones. Lets get the shoes off these school holidays!! "Allowing children endless opportunities to walk and run barefoot, especially on uneven surfaces, will allow them to connect with the ground in all its variety so they can not only develop their physical capacity to move freely in our world, they will also create healthy brains which can function at more optimum levels."

06.01.2022 In a recent interview with the renowned author Richard Louv, it was described that the connection to nature is indeed a human right. We whole-hardly agree. Nature Deficit Disorder is on the rise amongst our city children and the impact is being seen in areas such as learning difficulties, behavioral issues, hyperactivity, self confidence & resilience, anxiety and its even suggested theres a link with increased rates of bullying. Nature is all around us we need to give our children greater opportunities to engage with it. How do you provide your kids with nature time?

05.01.2022 Is tree climbing a lost art in your family? We'd love to hear how many of your 'Nature Kids' climb trees and any other great benefits you've seen. Read our latest piece here http://naturekids.com.au/the-lost-art-of-climbing-trees.php

04.01.2022 A step in the right direction for our young ones and play led education.. well done Newington for taking the research on board and making a change, it has to start somewhere

01.01.2022 What better choice than the gorgeous pine cone for our next loose parts post!! Loose parts play allows a creative and unrestricted type of play. Children can imagine, invent, build and create. Pine cones are a great sensory ingredient for loose parts play in your yard, school or local park. They also provide a fabulous ingredient for art & crafts. Creative play options are endless.

01.01.2022 Read our latest post of the top 10 things to do with city kids this autumn! See if you can tick them all off the list!