In the heart of Bahrs Scrub, a community driven initiative is transforming how local families approach early childhood development.
Bush Babes is a popular fortnightly nature-based program held at Bronzewing Park, offering children from birth to six years old a chance to swap plastic toys for the beautiful classroom of the great outdoors.
Facilitated by early childhood teacher and bush kindy leader Areta Farrance, who has more than 20 years of experience, the program has been running for three-and-a-half years.
Ms Farrance said the sessions focused on child-directed nature play, where youngsters interact with the elements — mud, rain, and dirt — using only what nature provides.
The core philosophy of Bush Babes is rooted in holistic whole body learning.
While most are familiar with the five basic senses, Farrance explains nature play activates eight senses, including three hidden senses critical for brain and physical development vestibular: balance and movement; proprioceptive: spatial awareness and knowing where your body is in space and; interoceptive: understanding internal body feelings and signals.
“When you deprive children of those senses, they don’t have the full range of brain development opportunity,” Farrance says.
She said nature provided a diversity of problem solving challenges, such as navigating uneven territory or reaching for a branch, that man made environments simply could not match.
The program’s success is built on a strong partnership between Bush Kindy Teaching, Brookhaven Living and Logan City Council’s Active & Healthy Programs, with additional support from First 5 Forever.
Because of this funding, the sessions are free for local families.
Feedback from local residents show the program is valued.
One family shared in an anonymous survey: “We have found the Bush Babes program to be such a positive experience for our family, and having it in Brookhaven has been awesome. As someone with disabilities, having this program in our own estate allows us to add it to our fortnightly schedule, without being concerned we might be unable to make a long trip due to health etc. Our daughter truly enjoys every moment as do we!”
A typical morning begins at 9.30am with nature play, followed by an optional small bushwalk along the billabong trail and concluding with group songs and stories.
Bush Babes runs from 9.30am-11.30am fortnightly on Thursdays at Bronzewing Park, 21 Greenshank Drive, Bahrs Scrub.
Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and a hat and bring water and a spare change of clothes as activities can be messy.
Children must be supervised by their parent or carer, and sessions go ahead in the rain unless conditions are deemed unsafe.
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