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Arcadia Forest Playgroup
Arcadia offers Forest Playgroup for children under the age of 5. Arcadia Forest Playgroup gives younger children the perfect opportunity to learn and connect with nature. Time spent outdoors is vital for all humans, especially into today's ever-increasing digital world. The natural environment itself is an educator, and Forest Playgroup allows children to experience first hand the effects of nature and see why stewardship is important. By attending Forest Playgroup on a weekly basis, parents can ensure that their child is getting at least one session a week of immersive outdoor play experiences. Our regular playgroup also allows parents to make connections with other parents, and build their confidence in letting their children explore in nature and discover ideas for play and adventure.
At Arcadia we believe in a play-based approach to learning, the way humans are designed to learn. Forest Playgroup naturally allows children the opportunities to play using the landscape and found objects, as children have played for all of history. Occasionally this can be messy, in fact we encourage mess. Messy play allows children full bodied learning experiences that engage their senses naturally including sensory integration and vestibular input, as does risky play. We value providing children with the skills to access risk and to engage in supervised risk taking activities in a safe manner. Providing an environment in which they can experiment, push limits, challenge themselves and find their own limits. Our facilitators help both parents and children learn to become confident in risky messy play, which then empowers families to embrace risk taking, and messy opportunities in the rest of their week. Through the exploration of the natural environment, children naturally find opportunities for vestibular input, sensory integration, risk taking and messy play. The varied vestibular input of the forest is fantastic for the development of Balance, Postural control, Muscle tone, Spatial orientation, Alertness and Eye movements, all of which play important roles for developing hand-eye coordination, understanding mathematical concepts such as spatial awareness and the physical strength required for sitting in a classroom writing. As Forest Playgroup automatically encompases ample oportunities for vestibular input, sensory integration, risk taking and messy play, it is a perfect activity for developing both the emotional and physical aspects of school readiness.
With nature as our guide, every session at Forest Playgroup is unique, however there is a general structure that is followed. Upon arrival the children engage in some nature craft activities or provocations set out by our staff. Once everyone has arrived we hold a morning meeting, including an acknowledgement of country, and make plans for how we might spend our time together. We gather together for group morning tea as well as closing out our day with more nature craft or provocations back at our base camp. Forest Playgroup sessions run for an hour and a half.
The sessions's main activities can include:
At Arcadia we believe in a play-based approach to learning, the way humans are designed to learn. Forest Playgroup naturally allows children the opportunities to play using the landscape and found objects, as children have played for all of history. Occasionally this can be messy, in fact we encourage mess. Messy play allows children full bodied learning experiences that engage their senses naturally including sensory integration and vestibular input, as does risky play. We value providing children with the skills to access risk and to engage in supervised risk taking activities in a safe manner. Providing an environment in which they can experiment, push limits, challenge themselves and find their own limits. Our facilitators help both parents and children learn to become confident in risky messy play, which then empowers families to embrace risk taking, and messy opportunities in the rest of their week. Through the exploration of the natural environment, children naturally find opportunities for vestibular input, sensory integration, risk taking and messy play. The varied vestibular input of the forest is fantastic for the development of Balance, Postural control, Muscle tone, Spatial orientation, Alertness and Eye movements, all of which play important roles for developing hand-eye coordination, understanding mathematical concepts such as spatial awareness and the physical strength required for sitting in a classroom writing. As Forest Playgroup automatically encompases ample oportunities for vestibular input, sensory integration, risk taking and messy play, it is a perfect activity for developing both the emotional and physical aspects of school readiness.
With nature as our guide, every session at Forest Playgroup is unique, however there is a general structure that is followed. Upon arrival the children engage in some nature craft activities or provocations set out by our staff. Once everyone has arrived we hold a morning meeting, including an acknowledgement of country, and make plans for how we might spend our time together. We gather together for group morning tea as well as closing out our day with more nature craft or provocations back at our base camp. Forest Playgroup sessions run for an hour and a half.
The sessions's main activities can include:
- Bushcraft
- Hikes
- "Just playing" in a variety of different landscapes within our site
- Animal spotting and learning about the vegetation
- Water and mud play
- Exploring geography by creating mini dams and rivers, boulder fields or mud maps
- Scientific observations
- Discussions of the changes to the landscape over time - both climate and human derived
Weather Conditions
"There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing" ...except, this is Queensland. So there is unsafe weather.
We run in rain, we run in summer - We run year.
We don't run in: lightning storms, hail, dust storms, gale winds, extreme fire danger.
Daily program will vary with weather/seasons, eg. we might go on long hikes in winter, but we won't in summer. We will stick by the creek or in shade.
Please bring, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, sturdy enclosed shoes/gumboots, spare clothes, snack and rain gear.
We still run in the rain. But will cancel for flood, thunderstorm, or fire risk.
We run in rain, we run in summer - We run year.
We don't run in: lightning storms, hail, dust storms, gale winds, extreme fire danger.
Daily program will vary with weather/seasons, eg. we might go on long hikes in winter, but we won't in summer. We will stick by the creek or in shade.
Please bring, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, sturdy enclosed shoes/gumboots, spare clothes, snack and rain gear.
We still run in the rain. But will cancel for flood, thunderstorm, or fire risk.
Location
Toohey Forest and Broadwater Picnic Ground.
Pricing
$10 / Family / day
A parent or caregiver is required to stay.
A parent or caregiver is required to stay.
Next Step
To join our Forest Playgroup please enrol using the link below. Trials days are also available allowing you to experience what we offer first hand.