Author: Fay Baudains
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Children & Nature Network 2023 Conference Reflection
As the Children and Nature conference for 2023 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the lessons learned and how they can be integrated into our Educated by Nature programs, and the organisation as a whole. So what were the standout thoughts from the conference? For me, the following themes emerged. The inclusion…
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Greening Schoolyards Colorado
As a precursor to the Children and Nature Network – Inside Out 2023 Conference in Colorado, Fay and Daniel boarded a bus to check out some schools that had been transformed under the Greening schoolyards program across Denver. Fresh from their time at the International Play Conference in Glasgow (and visits to some wonderful play…
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Botanical Literacy
Recently Daniel and Fay had the privilege of attending and presenting at the Early Childhood Education State Conference in Perth. Surrounded by like-minded presenters and attendees, they had the opportunity to sit in on some presentations about the importance of play and connection to nature. One of these presentations was facilitated by Kimberly Beasley, an…
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Using Games to Teach Empathy
Across KIN Village, Bush Inventors Club and our Nature Connection series we use Wilderness Awareness Games with our participants. Whilst they are excellent icebreakers before a program and a great opportunity to let off some high energy, the most significant lesson that these games teach is empathy. Wilderness Awareness Games help children get in the…
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When Students Spend Time Connecting to Nature
Do you know what a Woody Pear tree looks like? What about the colour Eurasian Coot chicks? Can you identify the birds in your area by the bite mark patterns on gumnuts? Do you how to walk in the bush without making a sound? No? Until recently, neither did the students that attended the WA…
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Keeping the Spark Alive
Do you remember when you were a child, and the world was amazing? Every bug and every tree held magical powers. You could be anyone, do anything or go anywhere. Flowers became potions, tree trunks dungeons and there was definitely a troll under every bridge. But we couldn’t wait to grow up. We were going…