This week Gan Zayit, one of our ELC classes, enjoyed our first Gan Tevah bush kinder adventure!

Nature play is an indispensable element in promoting holistic children’s development in early childhood, ranging from physical, social and emotional, cognitive, aesthetic to overall wellbeing (Chawla, 2015; Wilson, 2018). Understanding what’s in nature, such as plants and animals, lays a solid foundation to expand children’s knowledge about the surrounding environment and the world around them (Yizhu (Zoe) Wang).

Inside the forest, the children spontaneously engaged in the natural environment. Focusing on the elements around them. Through mindful listening and using their senses, they identified the sounds of different birds, the smell of gum trees and the feel of soil on their hands. The children were constantly involved in inquiry-based questions and learning.

The children played in and on top of a teepee, watched ripples in the lake, found a gnome village, looked for fairies amongst shrubs, balanced on logs, trekked through the bushes and explored our new Gan Tevah surroundings!

Thank you to Ethan’s Buba and Gabriel’s Mum for joining us.

Jen Duband

Kindergarten Teacher