Research shows spending time outdoors is as important for children’s development as learning to read and write. Learning outside engages and excites the senses. Outdoor play improves children’s health, wellbeing, and happiness both in mind and body.

Bush Kids recognises that for children to learn, they need a meaningful holistic outdoors program that integrates all learning areas and allows children to demonstrate their learning through many ‘languages’ (100 Languages- Malaguzzi). Unstructured outdoor play has holistic benefits for children and those connected to them: it develops the whole child – physically and mentally. All ages, cultures and abilities can engage with nature to make sense of their world. Natural Play focuses on what matters to the children – what their big ideas are and what they want to know – and enables these enquires to emerge over time. It focuses on ideas and theory making (how do things work), through experiences such as growing and eating, schematic play, taking things apart, caring for the setting’s environment, and interacting with humans and nature. Natural Play seeks to feed children’s curiosity, fascination, wonder, awe and to provide satisfaction of their deep drive to learn and make meaning.