The Outdoor Classroom Will Feature Three Key Zones Designed for Different Forms of Play and Exploration
The ‘Wild Play’ Zone
The Wild Play Zone is a place where children can climb, balance, sway, and crawl, building confidence as they explore and connect with nature.
This zone will encourage adventurous play, curiosity, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.
The ‘Open Transition’ Zone
This space will allow for independent and enjoyable activity while encouraging children to share the space with others and take turns.
The ‘Sensory Play’ Zone
This space is about discovery through sensorial experiences and spaces. The Sensory Play Zone will comprise various meeting nodes, seating space and discovery trails.
Children’s Exploration of the Space
The children have continued to immerse themselves in nature, leading their own adventures. They have worked collaboratively to build and create many imaginative features, including:
- building zip lines
- testing ideas to stabilize posts with rocks and twine
- constructing Gunya shelters
- creating fairy homes
- building pretend campfires.
Nature’s Creatures
In a self-led manner, children have collected pine needles, observed spider webs for weeks, and have witnessed firsthand how creatures like spiders catch their prey, fostering awe and respect for ecosystems.
They have learned Dharug names for local wildlife, incorporating them into imaginative play, and carrying forward an understanding of the land’s First Nations history.
Through risky play like climbing towering trees, carrying heavy branches, and freely exploring, children have developed confidence, resilience, and deeper relationships with one another.
“We have shown great respect towards what it is about the outdoor classroom space that intrinsically drives each child’s engagement. Some children just want to run, chase, move and carry bulky or heavy items. Then there are those who want to climb to the highest branches just to sit peacefully, or those that just want to pretend or imagine. Honouring children’s inner motivation is a crucial element of nature pedagogy. We have honoured children interests and trusted them with the ability to persevere and problem solve and lead investigations at their pace.”
– Nicky (Nature Pedagogy Early Childhood Educator)