Nature
Nature provides many of the things children seek. It provokes imagination and sensory experiences. It gives children a place to relax, engage in physical activity, and be free.
Nature provides opportunities to interact with living things.
Young babies may enjoy feeling the breeze on their skin, while preschool children may use that same breeze to fly kites. Nature unites all children regardless of their age, language and cultural background.
The educational benefits of nature include environmental awareness.
UNCRC
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children have the right to an education that teaches them to respect the natural environment (article 29).
NQS
Nature aligns with the National Quality Standard: The service cares for the environment and supports children to become environmentally responsible (3.2.3).
EYLF learning outcomes
Nature aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework as it promotes respect for the environment (2.4).
Learning opportunities
Learn about components
Children can learn that big things are made up of little things. Each component makes its own contribution. Explore the different components of nature.
- living things
- natural cycles
- natural events
- natural materials
- natural phenomenon
- natural places
- natural processes
- things in space
- things in the sky.
Learning environments
outdoor areas
Daily routines
implement sustainable practices
Educator-child interactions
show nature
Discussions
Educators can ask questions to provoke discussions about nature: discuss nature
Resources
Songs
- Song about nature by song artist.
Books
- Book about nature by author .