Resources to help children find solace in nature (during COVID-19 and beyond)

Kids and Creation - a resource by Ruth Wivell and Jessica Morthorpe, produced by Uniting Earth.

Resources to teach children about our Kiwi environment

Online Nature Classroom - Kids Greening Taupō have created the Online Nature Classroom to connect tamariki to nature and help them to understand the importance of biodiversity. They will be able to learn about the unique flora and fauna of Aotearoa, and the important role that each species plays in the ecosystem. Each conservation theme is broken down into five days of activities. Designed by a teacher and an ecologist, each unit contains hands-on activities, inquiry questions, informative videos, and a fantastic read aloud book with a follow up activity.

Backyard Biodiversity is a joint initiative between Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust and the Taranaki Regional Council. Through a series of fun videos, Rotokare and TRC environmental educators Ash and Emily will guide you on discovering, protecting, and enhancing backyard habitat for native species. Each video comes with its own task for students to accomplish for the week, be it building their own bug whares, lizard lounges, tracking tunnels, or conducting their own night surveys. Each episode also comes with additional resources for adults and children alike to read, explore, and engage with.

Zealandia has good nature activity ideas for children, youth and families and has some cool resources to go with these activities. Considering building a wētā hotel or creating the ultimate lizard garden in your backyard? Looking for a lesson plan to help you create a predator free environment? Or want to find out how you can become a Conservation Ranger? Activities and resources are added on a regular basis.

Growing children’s love of God’s creation

This resource is from Salal + Cedar in British Columbia, Canada but has ideas that are useful and can be customised for the Aotearoa NZ context. Their Wonder Box Curricula are designed for multi-age groups with the intention of growing children's love of God's creation. They bring together inspiration and wisdom from Messy Church, Godly Play and Forest Schools. The materials are organised for a 90 minute session and small parts can be used for a 30 minute Sunday School lesson or a 5 minute children's talk.

Nature Playgroups

Getting preschool children and their families to directly experience the natural environment is a marvellous thing in so many ways! Jill Kayser, from Splice, which is a part of Methodist Northern Mission, ran a Nature Playgroup called ‘City Explorers’ in an inner city Auckland park during 2018. Check out this video of the City Explorers.

City Explorers recognises the importance of children playing, exploring and learning in a natural environment. Our playgroup takes place outside in all seasons (weather permitting). we meet every Friday morning in Albert Park, a beautiful “playground” of giant trees, green grass, flowers and more that invites children to be adventurous and explore! (look out for our pink Splice vests to find us.) City Explorers nature playgroup encourages “free play” rather than organising a structured programme. Children are given opportunities to do what kids have done for centuries—play with nature, climb trees, splash in puddles, make mud cakes, care, share and have fun. As they play in this amazing Auckland City “backyard” they build resilience, cooperation, perseverance, playfulness, risk taking, curiosity, empathy and a love for their environment.

There are other Nature Playgroups around NZ, such as the one operated by Play and Learn NZ in various locations around Auckland. They charge a small fee per session.

If your church is thinking of starting a Nature Playgroup, check out some tips from this blog by Lucy Aitken Read.

Read more…

We Need Each Other: Children and Adults in Creation Care - Children and adults need each other to learn about this wondrous world and how to care for it. We can’t afford to wait for another generation to take the lead – we need to work together now. Learn more about our shared responsibilities in caring for creation in this blog piece by Matthew Humphrey, Director of Theological Education, A Rocha Canada.