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Nurturing Hauora for Holistic Wellbeing
Another beautiful day to go to the mount and have our ‘weekly show and tell’! Children in a group of 8 shared their special toys with their friends and teachers. (For excursions we have a ratio of 1-4).
Our programme at Dilworth plans for our tamāriki, children to provide learning experiences that connect them to nature. Today we also walked up to the local cafe. On our way we saw dogs out on a walk, some rubbish on the ground, and window cleaners. We waited to look and listen before crossing the roads.
The rest of the children had a show and tell in the side alley on the bench. Some of us practised writing the letters ‘m’ and ‘b’ in the sand.
The Dilworth Ave Centre has a strong connection to Mount Hobson. The well-being of our tamariki is fundamental to our vision as an early education provider.
Many studies show the positive links between direct experiences in nature and children’s mental, emotional and physical health and well-being. The studies show that regular direct access to nature can:
- increase self-esteem and resilience against stress and adversity
- improve concentration, learning, creativity, cognitive development, cooperation, flexibility and self-awareness
- prevent childhood obesity.
Research has also shown that through positive experiences in nature, children will develop their love of nature and a foundation for the development of responsible environmental behaviour. Studies of adults who demonstrate a commitment to protect the natural world suggest that childhood experience with nature plays a critical role in determining life attitudes, knowledge or behaviours regarding the environment.