Heart of Play
When a child draws a picture of a happy place they will often first think of positive relationships with family and friends surrounded by trees and nature.
On average, each young person plays outdoors for just four hours a week, half the time their parents spent outside as children.
Children need regular time outdoors to support their physical and mental wellbeing. Nature creates positive feelings, builds confidence, and increases creativity and attention span. Nature also has a significant positive effect on children’s play and social behaviours.
Extended time in nature leads to sustainable attitudes.
We have drawn on this for inspiration to bring nature into the heart of the day-care centre with the concept: "Nature at the Heart of Play"
The Nuri Curriculum is based on the notion that children actively learn and explore through play, which is associated with the “child- and play-centred” direction of learning in five learning areas:
- Physical activities,
- Health and safety.
- Communication.
- Social relationships.
- Arts experience; and inquiries into nature.