Feature Articles
Top tips to get started: It can be as simple as making sure that local
1. Foster connections with the Early
Bush Kinder groups are aware that they are
Childhood and Maternal Health
welcome in your gardens. The rewards in terms
Officers in your local government area
of community engagement and connection
– they know the lay of the land in the
are significant.
preschool sector in your region.
As the great children’s author Maurice Sendak once wrote: ‘Now’, cried Max, ‘Let the wild rumpus start!’
2. Invite local kinders and playgroups to use your garden as a permanent, temporary or expedition space for Bush Kinder sessions. Starting with a pilot session might help you and the group work out how it will run in your garden. 3. If you have education staff or volunteers: offer an introductory session to groups. Orient them to your site. Where are the toilets and drinking water? Are there any risks,
Bush Kinder, RBG Cranbourne. Photo Credit: Rebecca Bos
Explore Further • Playgroup Australia and State chapters http://playgroupaustralia.org.au • An article about Doug Fargher at Westgarth Kindergarten one of the pioneers of the Bush Kinder movement in Australia on pages 23-25: https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/ public/inspire/inspirejul2012.pdf • Forest School and Outdoor Learning in the Early Years by Sara Knight, SAGE Publications, 2013. • Understanding the Forest School Approach: Early Years Education in Practice by Jane Williams-Siegfredsen, Routledge, 2013. • Research report on the Climbing Trees:
such as snakes, or deep water that they need to be aware of? 4. Kindergarten is a highly regulated space, like primary or secondary school. Children will come with early childhood educators and parents who have the responsibility for the children in their care. Playgroups are less regulated and are run by a facilitator or a parent. Most playgroups are members of Playgroup Australia (or their state group); this provides them with appropriate insurance. Encourage them to join if they are not. Playgroups will have a parent with each child. 5. Encourage groups that use your garden to record their time in a journal or scrap-book – this is a great tool for
Getting Aussie Kids Back Outdoors 2011
evaluating the impact the program is
study: treeday.planetark.org/documents/doc-
having on the children and families
534-climbing-trees-research-report-2011-07-
who attend.
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the botanic gardener | ISS 39 JULY 2014