Environmental Education and Nature Play
Black Forest’s School Garden has been supporting student learning about food production and the environment since 1982. Treasured by both the school and the wider community, the garden provides native plantings as an insight into the local landscape, fruit and vegetable production, chickens, guinea pigs, a plant nursery and an outdoor kitchen and classroom. These elements provide a practical basis for students to develop their understanding of numerous curriculum areas, including health and nutrition, biological and earth sciences and STEM learning, as well as regular “Garden Club” opportunities for students to engage with garden art and maintenance activities.
Nature Play SA Website
(Link to website)
Black Forest Primary School has been implementing and refining its broader approach to the Nature Play philosophy to cultivate student wellbeing, collaboration and creativity since 2014. Based on a growing body of research and teacher observation, a well-resourced and appropriately supported approach to nature play has been shown to improve
- Gross and fine motor skills
- Mental health, including improved focus for students with ADHD
- Focus in the classroom, including better marks in standardised testing
- Ability to collaborate and communicate respectfully
In essence, nature play provides opportunities for students to develop and practice dispositions for success “in the wild”. Using the resources available, children apply their knowledge in a practical context, echoing the behaviours of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, writers and storytellers. As such, Nature Play performs an important role in advancing site priorities by strengthening the fundamental skills required for engagement with STEM, high level achievement and intellectual stretch.
Our nature play areas offer a range of nature play experiences for students, including cubby building, “loose parts” play, rocks and logs for development of balance and coordination and a fire pit for special celebrations. Further nature play areas are in the works for development, supported through the fundraising of our school community.
