Nature connection sharing
Nature Connection programmes have been growing in Marlborough, especially in Kindergartens.
Recently environmental educator for Marlborough District Council, Ramona Millen and Marlborough Kindergarten Association Senior Teacher, Gwenda Jones shared how this has developed over the last two years and the benefits of Nature Connection for tamariki.
Ramona supporting a Nature Connection session
The New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE) hosted a webinar where Ramona and Gwenda talked about the changes they have seen by supporting teachers and children to regularly spend time in nature in the Marlborough region.
With a few prompts around observing, tamariki have been experiencing many ways to connect with nature. From walks around the block, to local parks and gardens, exploring nature through the seasons has brought lots of learning. Including how to be safe around dogs, water and being prepared for weather changes.
There were many things to take away from the webinar including how to set up a successful nature connection session for children, how to assess risks and mitigate these, and what to bring if you want to extend learning in a session. Gwenda and Ramona also shared how the tamariki had grown more confident, connected with their peers and interested in nature since they had started the nature connection programmes. They are excited about doing more.
View the recording of this webinar here https://www.nzaee.org.nz/spotlight/nature-connection-for-aotearoa-educators