Held at Avebury House, this 2 hour workshop is designed to give ideas on enhancing play and nature connection for children in their backyard but with relevance to other settings. We'll talk about easy and inexpensive ways you can create more opportunities for children to connect with nature as well as ways to create great spaces for play. This workshop is suitable for parents, grandparents, home-based educators and kaiako at ECE and primary school level.

We'll discuss recommended plants, loose parts materials and how to make the most of environments designed for play. There will also be the opportunity to walk over and see the temporary Pop-up Playspace in action at the Richmond Community Gardens. This will provide the chance to see some of these materials in action and to discuss the play affordances they offer.

Tickets available from Humanitix

Are you a parent/caregiver or kaiako/teacher? Come join us at Avebury House!

In this hands-on workshop, we will explore, investigate and reflect on supporting the development of the systems and skills needed for handwriting, using the vast, rich resources and spaces of the natural world.

Using a multi-sensory approach to developing handwriting, we will consider the underlying capacities necessary, including posture, stability of the trunk and shoulders, fine-motor, visual-motor, attentional and sequencing skills, as well as the sensory systems that support these processes. We will also discuss fluency, letter recognition and formation, spatial concepts and self-monitoring.

Along the way we will play! The best learning occurs within the context of play and relationships. We will weave together our knowing, feeling and ‘doing’ throughout the workshop, experiencing for ourselves what it is like to engage in learning that is meaningful and connected – to ourselves, to others, and to the world we live in. There are many, many ways in which both the development of handwriting and the very task itself can be supported by whānau and kaiako, parents and teachers, within the lush unbounded playscapes right outside our door!

- This workshop is tailored to meeting the needs of a range of ages, stages and learning styles.
- The approaches discussed will be of significant value for those working with children who have learning differences, but will enhance any child’s learning journey.

So, whether writing is a struggle or just a daily activity you want to support for the children you know, whether you are supporting them within your home or class – this is for you!

Julie brings 12+ years of specialised experience in the field of occupational therapy alongside children and their families, particularly those who have less conventional learning needs. Julie has completed post-graduate studies in using sensory processing principles with diverse populations, has a strong focus on facilitating learning through play and a thorough understanding of the neuroscience to support these approaches.

For tickets and more info please go to:
https://events.humanitix.com/write-outside

Come along and enjoy some free mud kitchen fun as part of the Avebury Gala. For more information check out the event on Facebook.

A one-day workshop examining the latest research and current understanding of how regular time in nature-rich spaces for play, rest and connection, aids the development of resilience in children, their families and communities.

With guest speaker, Niki Buchan, internationally recognised thought-leader in nature-based practice.

Plus sessions by Julie Frew, Paediatric Occupational Therapist; Helen Francis, Nature & Forest Therapy Guide; Emma Woods, Teacher & Nature-based Playground Designer; Anneke Beardsley, Social Worker; Tilia Mehrabi, Forest School Teacher.

This day will be of interest to educators, therapists, community workers and parents/carers.

International speaker, Niki Buchan, brings knowledge and expertise from her 35+ years of experience as an educator, researcher, consultant and author on the topic of nature-based practice. An opportunity to delve into the healing power of combining nature with nurturing, connected relationships to support well-being and mental health for children.

Local experts across the fields of health, education, early intervention and community settings will also expand on this theme, bringing personal and professional experiences of the extensive capacity nature and natural settings offer to build resilience, deepen relationships, promote healthy sensory-motor, social and emotional development, bring healing and unfold potential in our children, families and communities. 

This will be an inspiring day bringing new insights, and ensuring you have the chance to connect with others and with nature. Come and learn, be nourished and build relationships!

Registration includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea.

Haeata Community Campus invites you to an afternoon with Harko Brown and Niki Buchan.  

Harko Brown is an expert in traditional Maori games and has recently been involved with designing hupara - traditional log-based spaces for play, exercise and learning. He will give a one hour talk on the benefits of how to incorporate traditional Maori games and spaces into schools.

Niki Buchan is an international speaker, writer and educational consultant. We're pleased to have her back in New Zealand sharing her knowledge on the benefits of play in nature rich spaces and how play can build the skills and dispositions needed for resiliency.

All welcome to attend this event.  Come and along to hear these two inspirational speakers, have a bit of kai and hear about Haeata's playspace development project. 

Free admission for those in the Haeata community otherwise tickets are $25. Tickets available through https://events.humanitix.co.nz/nature-play-in-schools

Looking for ways to provide more outside play opportunities for your children or children in your care? This 2 hour workshop will give you ideas for nature-based play opportunities in a backyard setting. We'll talk about recommended plants and loose parts materials, share ideas about where to source these from and how to create opportunities for children to connect with nature in a backyard setting. There will also be time to share what you're doing and learn from others. Limited to 15 people. Held at Avebury House in Richmond, Christchurch.

A very informative and passionate teacher, who completely understands the relationship between children and nature. A brilliant workshop, offering great suggestions to incorporate natural play, into your own outdoor space and excellent value for money.

Register your interest here or get in touch, emmawoods@woodland-escape.co.nz