Our nature-based learning program is very popular throughout Primary school at Freshwater Christian College. Students enjoy exploring the rainforest that surrounds the College and our freshwater creek is the perfect spot to get in touch with nature. In today’s fast-paced digital world, children often spend more time indoors, disconnected from the natural environment. However, the benefits of nature play are profound and should not be underestimated. In Cairns, a city blessed with stunning natural landscapes, embracing nature play can have a transformative impact on children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
7 Benefits of Nature Play
- Improves physical health
- Reduces stress, and anxiety and improves wellbeing
- Enhances learning
- Sparks creativity and imagination
- Sensory development
- Increase emotional resilience
- Promotes environmental awareness
Grade Three Nature-Based Program – Nature Play in Cairns
Every Thursday, our Year 3’s get to enjoy the wonders of our natural surroundings as they traverse, explore, observe and encounter the spectacular Freshwater Creek that surrounds our school grounds. Emerging our students in the rich and sensory-driven environment of nature, allows students to explore real and purposeful moments of learning. From mathematics, sustainability and science, to linguistic or non-linguistic representations, our students can express ideas and understandings in ways we usually don’t see within the classroom.
“May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back, the way it is with children.”
- Rainer Maria Rilke
Here are some of the moments our students have loved best during our times at Outdoor Learning.
Benefits of outdoor learning and nature-based learning programs
Nature-based learning at Freshwater Christian College offers many great opportunities for students to build positive relationships with the environment and with the people around them. Not only do students flourish with the development of positive relationships with the natural environment our program helps with social capability, critical and creative thinking as well as ethical and sustainability understanding. It also enables cross-curruculum priorities of the Australian curriculum.
Students learn and strengthen a variety of skill sets ranging from leadership and self reliance to managing personal risks and growing interdependence. Studies have also demonstrated that outdoor learning also helps with overall student wellbeing and personal health.
For more information about our Nature Based Learning Program in Primary School at Freshwater Christian College check out our Youtube Channel.
Interested in enrolling your child at FCC? Book a tour with our College Principal. See for yourself the exciting world of education in Cairns at FCC.