Upcoming Programs and Events

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 3 2024 PROGRAMS DATES & TIMES

8 – Week Program in Term 3 + an additional 9th week for free for make up sessions

Sessions are 90 mins at Pines 2 Area in beautiful Belair National Park

TUESDAYS (30th July – 17th Sept) [with free make up session on 24th Sept]	WEDNESDAYS (31st July – 18th Sept) [with free make up session on 25th Sept]
9.45am – 11.15am: Gumnut Explorers 0-5 year olds	9.15am – 10.45am: Wild Sprouts 1-3 year olds
11.30am – 1.00pm: Gumnut Explorers 0 – 5 year olds	11am – 12.30pm: Gumnut Babies 0 – 18 months
	1pm – 2.30pm: Nature Explorers 3 – 5 year olds

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).

Gift Vouchers available!

Email [email protected] to organise a voucher!

Other offers

Pre-school and School programs

The program is for childcare centres, community groups, preschools and primary schools (reception – Year 2), to support children, families and educators health and wellbeing through nature connection. The aim is to connect children with nature through play so they can gain the health and wellbeing benefits that therapeutic nature-based activities can provide. The program will also benefit the adults in the children’s lives too! The objectives are to guide children to tune in to natural environments to support them to calm their bodies, care for the nature and themselves, improve their coordination and confidence through nature connection activities, and support their connection to themselves and each other. These objectives are carried out through play, as the children have fun in nature! Broad topics addressed through the program include: What is nature? Why nature and play is important? What are the health and wellbeing benefits of nature? How do we connect with nature? Fun and engaging activities to support nature connection! What do we notice in nature and in ourselves? How can also nurture nature, as nature nurtures us?   The program can look like:     75- 90 minute session or sessions (flexible depending on needs) One off incursion/ excursions or 3-5 sessions program Educators don’t require any additional training, fully guided program An appropriate space outside, or visiting a nearby park would be required No specialised equipment required Once educators have participated in the program, they will be inspired to use nature based activities in their settings. The program is inclusive and can be altered to a variety of abilities if required These are some of the activities might include: Exploring surroundings to foster curiosity and a love of learning. Engaging all the senses to tune deeply into nature, enhancing sensory development and can help calm the mind. Games that encourage learning while playing, such as a scavenger hunt to find and identify different types of leaves or trees Using natural materials like rocks, sticks and leaves to create art or build structure. This can help children develop creativity, problem solving and regulate emotions. Drawing and recording observations and thoughts about the natural world helps with fine motor, writing and observations skills, as well as expressing themselves. Group activities to promote development of social skills and connections. Evidence to support these programs:  Nature improves health and wellbeing, spending time in nature provides children with a wide range of health benefits including: – increased vitamin D levels, reduced near-sightedness, increased physical activity, reduced risk of obesity, improved relationship skills and reduced stress, anger and aggression – which all lead to greater wellbeing Nature can improve academic outcomes. Learning in natural environment can boost performance in reading, writing, math, science and social studies, and can enhance creativity, critical thinking and problem solving. Spending time in nature can help children focus their attention, and has been shown to have decrease symptoms of ADHD Exploration and discovery through outdoor experiences can promote motivation to learn Green schoolyards and exposure to nature helps kids feel calmer and less stressed, positive and restored and more resilient. There is also evidence that children are better able to cope with stress when they are near trees and other greenery. Green schoolyards and exposure to nature promotes social-emotional skills. Children demonstrate more cooperative play, civil behaviour and positive social relationships. Children also have greater self-awareness and self-management, hence reducing aggression and discipline problems and helping students feel proud, responsible and confident. Childhood has moved indoors recently and it leaves our kids disconnected from the natural word, this program support children to get outside, connect with nature again and improve their health and wellbeing while having fun, learning so much and feeling better! For further details including pricing and availability contact via email [email protected]

Professional Development

Previous Events

Play Naturally OT was excited to host an event in the Nature Festival SA 2023!

https://www.naturefestival.org.au/event/family-nature-connection-at-belair-national-park

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!!

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