the Y
the Y
Havilah Road Preschool, a Y Kinder, benefitted from a State Government grant of $6,000 in in the first round of Bush Kinder grants, which was the catalyst for the implementation of regular nature play sessions.
Taking place close to the kindergarten in a local green space, the four-year-old kinder groups venture out once a week to enjoy several hours of unstructured play-based education.
These have provided many positive learning experiences for all 58 children across the two integrated 3- and 4-year-old programs.
The kinder marked the commencement of the program through a special celebration which included a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony conducted by Jason Kerr, a proud Dja Dja Wurrung man and local artist.
In beautiful spring sunshine, the relaxed afternoon was attended by families, siblings of children in the program, team members from Y Kinders and representatives from local community groups and the Department of Education.
Lyndall Rye, one of the teachers at the Preschool shared how she continues to find joy in the sheer delight that children find of simply being in nature, with no toys or equipment. Improvisation and creativity come to the fore, with children picking up sticks and rocks to play with and hold, splashing in puddles and focusing on their senses.
“When we ventured out at the very start of May, the area was filled with butterflies, and the awe on the children’s faces as they ran through them, was priceless!” Lyndall said.
The experiences are a feast for the senses and hone observational skills. “We enjoy the walks and then sitting and listening to the sounds in the environment. There’s a lot to observe and experience –shapes, textures, the sunny spots in the parkland, the movement of the clouds, feeling the cold air and touching the wet grass. Depending on each week’s rainfall, there’s also water rising and falling in a channel next to the area to watch.
Listening to the frogs after the rain has been a highlight. We discovered when the children were too noisy, the frogs stopped croaking, so we had to be really quiet, so they would start up again,” Lyndall enthusiastically recounted.
The nature play program is child-led and flows naturally, it includes interactions with elements such as trees, rocks, plants, soil, and water. It increases opportunities to explore and discover plants, insects and other natural elements and learn from others.
The kindergarten collaborated closely with the Greater City of Bendigo Council, families, and Y Kinders’ colleagues currently operating Bush Kinder programs, assisting with a smooth implementation. The team also participated in training with the Eco Learning Network prior to launching the program.
Gail Dwyer, Kindergarten Teacher added, “At Havilah Road Preschool we are big believers in the benefits that come from play based learning, and we believe our Nature Play Program plays a very important role in that. The program is all about the children and letting them take the lead in their play, allowing them explore the environment around them.”
Welcomed by families and children alike, the Peppercorn and Wattle Groups take part in the program weekly.
Find out more about Havilah Road Preschool here.
