Upcoming Programs
Come join us in nature at Belair National Park!
- Do you want your family to be healthier and happier?
- Does your child love being outside?
- Do you want to meet like-minded children and families?
- Do you want your child to get away from screens and technology?
- Do you want to feel more connected as a family?
- Do you want support to help your child regulate their big feelings?
- Do you want to be a more mindful parent?
- Do you want your child to develop more coordination skills, social skills and learn to be more confident?
- Do you want to experience more than just a regular child development group?
- Do you want your child to experience sensory learning in nature?
- Do you want your child to grow up with a love of nature and care for the planet? …………………………… then come and JOIN US we would love to have you in our Play Naturally OT community!
Intentionally designed nature – based program run by an experienced Occupational Therapist (OT) using evidence based approaches, including the ConTIGO (Connection and Transformation In The Great Outdoors) Approach which develops more coordinated, confident, calm and caring kids!
Developmentally appropriate and sensory nature connection activities are facilitated to support this CALM, CARING, CONFIDENCE, COORDINATION and CONNECTION for all children and families
Our programs are run in the beautiful Belair National Park! We value our relationships with National Parks & Wildlife and the opportunity to connect you and your family with this important nature here is South Australia.
You will be supported to spend time in nature with your family while increasing your child’s physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional and social development as well as their environmental awareness.
Activities in the Play Naturally OT program develop into a routine that you and your children might find feels like a grounding rhythm. We have a circle time (age appropriate acknowledgement of country, songs, sharing, reflections, developmental and nature information), sensory nature connection activities, and unstructured nature ‘loose parts’ play – which is so important for your child’s development.
We understand that little people are getting familiar with all things nature, including the ‘call of nature’. Our sessions are intentionally located in Belair National Park with access to toilets, and support from rangers if required.
We offer appropriately designed sensory nature connection activities for calming bodies and minds – we understand that the senses are the gateway to the brain and the key to thriving in this world! Nature supports us all to lower our sympathetic nervous system (fight/ flight response). Having the opportunity to connect more with nature (through the Play Naturally OT program & beyond) will help your child and your whole family find more calm, emotional regulation and improved functioning in your everyday life. Once you find it, you’ll never look back!
Caring for and developing a relationship with nature is a large part of the program, and one participants value highly. Children don’t need to be ‘taught their learning’ in the early years, they benefit most from being supported to be curious, to explore, to notice what nature feels, smells, looks, sounds and tastes like, and it is through this we develop a relationship with nature that will last a lifetime and support health and wellbeing immensely.
This is a play based program where the confidence building, coordination development and connection with ourselves and each other all occur through play in the great outdoors.
The environment is risk assessed, Prue is remote first aid trained and the activities are matched to your child’s abilities, with your guidance – so your role is to truly ‘be’ with your child/ children, to soak in the nature connection yourself, with no to-do list, no preparation required, it is a time for YOU to relax, have fun and feel the joy!
We understand that YOU are the primary influence/ educator in your child’s life and as an occupational therapy led program we value the opportunity to show you ways to transfer your connection and comfort in nature you develop in the group experiences to your everyday life, so you can be more playful, creative and connected in your family life!
This program grew out of a consolidation of……….
My 15 + years experience as an Occupational Therapist in paediatrics,
Personal experience of raising children in nature, and
An always – continuing understanding of the evidence about the health and well-being benefits nature provides!
My children are no longer in their early years, so I look forward to focusing on you and your child(ren) to have your best nature experiences, together!
The program is flexible and adaptable to the needs of the families, sessions are limited to 10 families per group, so feedback and comments about challenges you might be facing in your family lives are welcome, we grow a community and we can all support each other!
A registration form is required to be completed by each family prior to starting. We gather appropriate information to ensure your health and safety throughout and in case of an emergency. We use the information to tailor the Play Naturally OT program to be able to give you and your family the best support and experience possible! Prue as an Occupational Therapist, carefully reviews this information and it incurs a small once off fee.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding can be used if you have occupational therapy on your plan. A detailed NDIS Invoice can be provided for a small admin fee to support you to claim your funding. Please contact Prue with any questions about this.
Siblings are very welcome, we cater for the whole family! Siblings under 6 months in a baby carrier or pram don’t require a ticket!
Come and join our wonderful well-established community and be supported to connect with nature and experience the health and wellbeing benefits for yourself and your child!
We can’t wait to see you in nature!
TERM 4 2024 PROGRAMS DATES & TIMES
8 – Week Program in Term 4 + an additional 9th week for free for make up sessions
Sessions are 90 mins at Joseph Fisher Picnic Area in beautiful Belair National Park
| TUESDAYS (15th October – 3rd December) [+ free make up session on 10th Dec] | WEDNESDAYS (16th October – 4th December) [+ free make up session on 11th Dec] |
| 10am – 11.30am: Gumnut Explorers 0-5 year olds | 9.15am – 10.45am: Wild Sprouts 1-3 year olds |
| 11am – 12.30pm: Gumnut Babies 0 – 18 months | |
| 1pm – 2.30pm: Nature Explorers 3 – 5 year olds |
- 8 week program $208
- 9th week free for make up session
- Entry to national Park included (usually $13/day)
- + $25 registration fee required for new families (add to ticket at booking)
- + $25 admin fee for NDIS invoice if required (add to ticket at booking)
- make up sessions available on other days during the term (depending on availability) or in 9th week!
- Extra adults welcome to attend
- 8 week program for additional child $160
- 9th week free for make up session
- Entry to national Park included (usually $13/day)
- + $25 registration fee required for new families (add to ticket at booking)
- + $25 admin fee for NDIS invoice if required (add to ticket at booking)
- make up sessions available on other days during the term (depending on availability) or in 9th week!
- Extra adults welcome to attend
- Infants in baby carriers don’t require ticket, however children over 6 months who are engaged and involved will require ticket as the program can be tailored to all developmental levels!
- 2 or more children? No worries – contact Prue for pricing!
- 4 session pass $128
- Offerings of this option will take place 1 -2 weeks prior to term starting if availability.
- Depends on spaces available, termly booking take priority
- Email Prue at [email protected] for details or to go on a waitlist.
I never want finance to be a boundary to your time with us in nature so please just contact Prue to organise split payments or discuss a plan to suit you better.
I believe in the program so much that if after your first session you decide the program is really not for you and your child, then a refund is possible (less the amount of session you attended).
Professional Development
PD for educators, parents, anyone interested in how we can support our children and ourselves to connect with nature with their health and wellbeing benefits!
Content of session includes:
- nature connection activities
- evidence of why nature and children is essential
- information about nature -what actually is nature and where is it
- information about how we connect with nature and what this looks like
- practical ideas to use immediately to support nature connection, learning, health and happiness in our children
- ideas of how to look after your own wellbeing as adults
- session is flexible and can be tailored to suit your group and learning desires
Contact Prue at [email protected] for details including pricing and availability
We would love you to join us in nature soon!
For now join our mailing list and get a FREE RESOURCE ‘5 TOP TIPS TO GET YOUR FAMILY PLAYING NATURALLY’ so you can get started connecting with nature now with your family!!
