BMG 2020 Grammarian Issue 1

8 LAND BEYOND THE FENCE KINDERGARTEN OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM The children of Bacchus Marsh Grammar, Early Learning Centre have gone “Beyond the Fence” and discovered a wonderful and natural world of learning. Research suggests that children who spend more time outdoors in nature are happier, healthier, stronger, kinder and more social. However, for many and various reasons, today’s children are increasingly likely to spend more time playing indoors than outdoors, with a generational shift from “green time to screen time”. In 2019, the Bacchus Marsh Grammar four-year-old kindergarten program commenced with our inaugural “Land beyond the Fence” outdoor educational program, located at our Maddingley Campus. One day a week, limited resources are taken, and play is inspired by the children’s interests, what nature provides, or a theme continued from our last session. We watch in awe as the children connect with the natural land to enhance and develop so many fundamental skills with each visit. The children relish their time at our ‘Land beyond the Fence’ program, busying themselves with self-initiated experiences, for example: • Imaginative games – a fallen log becomes a boat upon which to sit and fish with a stick • Chasing games • Scavenger hunts • Tree climbing • Navigating uneven ground • Investigating ground water and where it has come from • Foraging for materials to create art pieces • Stick whittling • Nature enquiries e.g. identifying birds, bugs and insects • Social games and team work