Early Childhood Educator Friends
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    • Nature Play and Children's Wellbeing
    • Provocations in Play
    • STEAM in Early Childhood
    • Developmental Theorists
    • Nature and Sustainability
    • Cultural and Indigenous Practices
    • Language and Numeracy
  • Online Courses
    • Guiding Children's Behaviour
    • The ECE Foundations Series
    • 8 x 10-minute courses
    • 10 x 10-minute courses
    • Children's Learning Experiences
    • Being an Area Manager
    • 1200 Phonic Digital Cards
  • Assessment and Rating Preparation
    • National Quality Framework - Overview
    • Assessment and Rating Workbook
    • 5-day in service visit
    • 2-Day Assessment and Rating and Exceeding Conference
    • 2-Day Assessment and Rating Mock Review
    • Zoom/In-person Support
    • VIP Membership
    • Meeting and Exceeding the National Quality Framework - 1 day Course
  • Menus
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  • Our Conferences
    • Australian Conferences xo In-Person >
      • October Conference xo >
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Sydney
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Melbourne
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Brisbane
  • Early Childhood Educator Events xo
  • Early Childhood Excellence
    • Early Childhood Educators >
      • Igniting Passionate Educators >
        • Igniting Passionate Educators!
        • ​Ignite, Inspire, Reflect, Connect: A Day of Learning for Passionate ECE Professionals
    • Leading with Impact - Courses >
      • ​Leading with Impact - 2-Day In-person Conference Melbourne
      • Leading with Impact: A Professional Development Course for Centre Managers - 2-Day Course
      • Leading with Impact: A Professional Development Course for Centre Managers - 12-week Sessions
    • Educational Leadership >
      • Nurturing Educational Leadership: Linking Program, Practice, and Quality in Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Retreats xo
    • Nature and Wellbeing >
      • Gold Coast Hinterland
      • Yarra Valley, VIC xo
      • Blue Mountains ,
    • Sunshine Coast - Wine, Wellness, and Relaxation Retreat
    • Bali >
      • Bali Leadership Retreat
      • Bali Educator Fun in the Sun
      • Bali Educational Retreat
    • Tassie Treats - Growing Minds Retreat: Nurturing Educators
    • Queenstown - Igniting Passionate Educators
    • Mexico - Early Childhood Educators’ Retreat: Nurture, Lead and Ignite
    • Phuket, Thailand - Igniting Passionate Early Childhood Educators
    • Airlie Beach - Wine, Wellness, and Winter Warmer Weekend
    • Vietnam - Play, Creativity, and Children's Development Retreat
    • Thailand - Igniting Passionate Educators
    • Denver and New York City
    • Whistler, Canada
    • Italy - Rome, and Tuscany Theorists, and Play
    • Spain
    • Thailand - ​Leadership and Management
    • Fiji xo - Play, Pause, & Reflect: An Educator’s Retreat
  • Contact
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  • Family Support
    • Supporting Your Child with Guidance, Routine, and Structure
    • Development and Learning Course for Families with Children in Early Childhood
  • Health and Wellness
    • Wellness Courses xo >
      • Wednesday Wine & Wellness xo
      • Winter Wellbeing for Early Childhood Educators
      • Mindful Moments: A 2-Hour Journey to Wellbeing
      • Holistic Nature and Wellbeing Course
      • Eradicating Loneliness xo
  • 12 Months of Early Childhood Educator Meetings
  • 12-months of Early Childhood Digital Magazine
  • THRIVE in Nature™
    • THRIVE in Nature™
    • THRIVE in Nature™ - 2 hour course
  • The S.P.A.R.K.L.E. Method™
  • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework”
    • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework” 1-Day Online Course
    • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework” - 2-Hour Course
    • "Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework" 12-Month Workbook

Nature Play and Children's Wellbeing​

Nature Play and Children's Wellbeing

Overview:
​
This course explores the powerful role of Nature Play in early childhood education, with a focus on how outdoor environments support whole-child development, deepen connections with community and culture, and enhance children’s wellbeing—emotionally, physically, socially, and mentally.

What Early Childhood Educators Will Learn
By the end of this course, participants will:
  • Understand the philosophy and benefits of Nature Play
  • See how nature supports children’s wellbeing and resilience
  • Connect Nature Play to the EYLF and NQF frameworks
  • Discover real-world strategies and experiences to bring learning outdoors
  • Be inspired to create inclusive, joyful, nature-rich environments for every child

Module 1: What is Nature Play?
  • Definition and key principles
  • The importance of unstructured, outdoor play
  • How nature fosters calm, joy, and emotional balance
  • Nature Play as a powerful foundation for children’s wellbeing
  • Contrast with traditional classroom learning

Module 2: The Value of Community
  • Community as a support system for Nature Play
  • Building connections that enhance a child’s sense of belonging
  • Partnering with families to support wellbeing through nature
  • Engaging Indigenous perspectives to enrich identity and cultural safety

Module 3: Improving Outcomes for Each Child
  • Nature Play as a holistic approach to learning and wellbeing
  • Supporting children’s mental health, resilience, and confidence
  • Inclusivity for diverse needs, including emotional safety
  • Strengthening self-identity and reducing anxiety

Module 4: Developmental Domains in Nature Play
  • Physical: Builds strength, coordination, and healthy habits
  • Cognitive: Sparks curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity
  • Social: Enhances empathy, teamwork, and secure relationships
  • Emotional: Encourages risk assessment, self-regulation, and resilience
  • Language: Boosts expression, storytelling, and dialogue
  • Nature Play supports all domains through a wellbeing lens—feeling safe, confident, and joyful

Module 5: Nature Play and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
  • Strong links to Learning Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
  • Nature Play as a vehicle for physical and emotional wellbeing
  • Respectful relationships and calm environments in outdoor learning
  • Supporting children's agency in play to promote positive mental health

Module 6: Nature Play and the National Quality Framework (NQF)
  • Aligning Nature Play with:
    • Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety
    • Quality Area 5: Relationships with Children
    • ​Quality Area 6: Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
  • Nature environments as supportive for both wellbeing and safety
  • Documenting and reflecting on children’s social-emotional growth

Module 7: Nature Play Experiences
  • Activities that nurture joy, curiosity, and emotional security:
    • Mud kitchens → sensory play and regulation
    • Tree climbing → confidence and risk mastery
    • Mindful walks → calm and self-awareness
    • Designing experiences that build positive mental health

Module 8: Bush Kindy
  • Bush Kindy as a sanctuary for wellbeing
  • Children build emotional resilience through routine and exploration
  • Nature reduces stress and supports calm regulation rhythms
  • Emotional safety through trusted relationships in outdoor contexts

Module 9: 33 Nature Play Ideas for Children and Families
  • A collection of wellbeing-focused ideas such as:
    • Cloud watching for mindfulness
    • Nature storytelling for emotional expression
    • Barefoot walks to connect and ground
    • Listening walks to practice calm and attention
    • Great for home and service settings

Module 10: Final Thoughts
  • Recap of Nature Play’s impact on learning, development, and wellbeing
  • Wellbeing as both a goal and outcome of outdoor play
  • Inspiring educators to create joyful, grounded, nature-rich environments
  • Encouragement to keep children’s emotional and physical wellbeing at the heart of all planning
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  • Home
  • Support Groups
    • Guiding Children’s Behaviour in Early Childhood
    • Educational Leader
    • Critical Reflection
    • Supporting Children's Additional Needs
    • Supporting Educator's Wellbeing
    • Nature Play and Children's Wellbeing
    • Provocations in Play
    • STEAM in Early Childhood
    • Developmental Theorists
    • Nature and Sustainability
    • Cultural and Indigenous Practices
    • Language and Numeracy
  • Online Courses
    • Guiding Children's Behaviour
    • The ECE Foundations Series
    • 8 x 10-minute courses
    • 10 x 10-minute courses
    • Children's Learning Experiences
    • Being an Area Manager
    • 1200 Phonic Digital Cards
  • Assessment and Rating Preparation
    • National Quality Framework - Overview
    • Assessment and Rating Workbook
    • 5-day in service visit
    • 2-Day Assessment and Rating and Exceeding Conference
    • 2-Day Assessment and Rating Mock Review
    • Zoom/In-person Support
    • VIP Membership
    • Meeting and Exceeding the National Quality Framework - 1 day Course
  • Menus
  • VIP Membership - OOSH/OSHC
  • Our Conferences
    • Australian Conferences xo In-Person >
      • October Conference xo >
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Sydney
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Melbourne
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Brisbane
  • Early Childhood Educator Events xo
  • Early Childhood Excellence
    • Early Childhood Educators >
      • Igniting Passionate Educators >
        • Igniting Passionate Educators!
        • ​Ignite, Inspire, Reflect, Connect: A Day of Learning for Passionate ECE Professionals
    • Leading with Impact - Courses >
      • ​Leading with Impact - 2-Day In-person Conference Melbourne
      • Leading with Impact: A Professional Development Course for Centre Managers - 2-Day Course
      • Leading with Impact: A Professional Development Course for Centre Managers - 12-week Sessions
    • Educational Leadership >
      • Nurturing Educational Leadership: Linking Program, Practice, and Quality in Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Retreats xo
    • Nature and Wellbeing >
      • Gold Coast Hinterland
      • Yarra Valley, VIC xo
      • Blue Mountains ,
    • Sunshine Coast - Wine, Wellness, and Relaxation Retreat
    • Bali >
      • Bali Leadership Retreat
      • Bali Educator Fun in the Sun
      • Bali Educational Retreat
    • Tassie Treats - Growing Minds Retreat: Nurturing Educators
    • Queenstown - Igniting Passionate Educators
    • Mexico - Early Childhood Educators’ Retreat: Nurture, Lead and Ignite
    • Phuket, Thailand - Igniting Passionate Early Childhood Educators
    • Airlie Beach - Wine, Wellness, and Winter Warmer Weekend
    • Vietnam - Play, Creativity, and Children's Development Retreat
    • Thailand - Igniting Passionate Educators
    • Denver and New York City
    • Whistler, Canada
    • Italy - Rome, and Tuscany Theorists, and Play
    • Spain
    • Thailand - ​Leadership and Management
    • Fiji xo - Play, Pause, & Reflect: An Educator’s Retreat
  • Contact
  • Terms and conditions
  • Family Support
    • Supporting Your Child with Guidance, Routine, and Structure
    • Development and Learning Course for Families with Children in Early Childhood
  • Health and Wellness
    • Wellness Courses xo >
      • Wednesday Wine & Wellness xo
      • Winter Wellbeing for Early Childhood Educators
      • Mindful Moments: A 2-Hour Journey to Wellbeing
      • Holistic Nature and Wellbeing Course
      • Eradicating Loneliness xo
  • 12 Months of Early Childhood Educator Meetings
  • 12-months of Early Childhood Digital Magazine
  • THRIVE in Nature™
    • THRIVE in Nature™
    • THRIVE in Nature™ - 2 hour course
  • The S.P.A.R.K.L.E. Method™
  • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework”
    • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework” 1-Day Online Course
    • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework” - 2-Hour Course
    • "Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework" 12-Month Workbook