Did you know that “Nature-Deficit Disorder” is real? Sadly, many children today are spending less and less time outdoors, leading to a disconnect from the natural world (Mawson, 2014). Studies show that all tamariki need 4 to 6 hours outside each day to fully benefit from the developmental wonders nature has to offer. But for many, this precious time in nature is slipping away, often due to safety concerns and a decrease in outdoor playtime that includes physical challenges and opportunities for risk-taking (Mawson, 2014).
At Kidiwise, we’re lucky to have 2 acres of stunning, natural ngahere (bush) surrounding us, along with expansive outdoor spaces designed to suit each age group’s needs and capabilities. Our environment is more than just a space—it’s our third Kaiako (teacher)! Here, tamariki can explore, climb, swing, run, get muddy, and interact with our animals. It’s a world of endless possibilities. As we step outside, we leave behind the limits of a small enclosed area and embrace the freedom to grow and learn in nature’s playground.
"Outdoor and natural play settings offer a wide range of flexible and varied play and learning opportunities" (Mawson, 2014). In line with the Te Whāriki curriculum’s Exploration, Mana Aotūroa strand (Ministry of Education, 2017), we support tamariki to explore, make sense of, and connect with the world around them. And the benefits? They’re immense.
Here’s what happens every time your child embarks on a bush walk or outdoor adventure at Kidiwise:
🌿 Make sense of the world—Tamariki engage in hands-on learning that helps them understand their environment (Te Whāriki, 2017).
🤸♀️ Develop motor, social, and independence skills—From climbing trees to playing in the dirt, physical activities are part of the journey!
🌳 Reconnect with nature—We help tamariki forge a deep connection with the natural world, building a lifelong respect for it.
💪 Boost mental and physical health—Spending time outdoors promotes overall wellbeing, both mentally and physically.
🏃♂️ Enjoy vigorous physical exercise—Active play is key to growing healthy bodies and minds.
🌱 Embrace open-ended interactions—Nature encourages creativity and invites tamariki to engage in imaginative, unstructured play.
⚖️ Learn risk detection and management—Through real experiences, tamariki develop confidence and smart strategies for handling risks safely.
🎨 Fuel creativity—Nature is the perfect playground for sparking new ideas and creative expression.
🤝 Build social skills and empathy—Outdoor experiences foster cooperation, problem-solving, and prosocial behaviour.
🛠 Strengthen resilience—Nature teaches tamariki how to bounce back from challenges, developing a growth mindset along the way.
⭐ Increase self-esteem—Self-confidence grows as tamariki take ownership of their play and learning.
🌿 Support free exploration—Rather than being constantly monitored, tamariki are supervised in a way that lets them lead and make decisions for themselves, resulting in greater autonomy and fewer injuries.
🦠 Boost immunity—Time spent outdoors strengthens the immune system, helping tamariki stay healthy.
🌍 Develop a sense of responsibility for the environment—By learning how to care for our earth and its creatures, tamariki become future guardians of the planet (kaitiakitanga).
🧠 Reduce stress and anxiety—Spending time in nature helps tamariki build resilience against stress and adversity.
🧑🤝🧑 Take on leadership roles—Older tamariki support younger ones, fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership through tuakana-teina (peer mentoring).
Why wouldn’t you want your tamariki to experience this abundance of opportunities? At Kidiwise, we believe every child deserves to become a confident, curious, and responsible lifelong learner who understands their connection to the earth and all its living beings. 🌱 Let’s nurture that curiosity, creativity, and respect for nature together! 🌳🌼
References:
Little, H. (2020). Outdoor learning environments in early childhood education: https://theeducationhub.org.nz/outdoor-learning-environments-in-ece/
Mawson, W.B. (2014). Experiencing the ‘wild woods’ The impact on children’s experience of a natural environment: European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 2014 Vol. 22, No. 4 513-524
Ministry of Education. (2017). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa early childhood curriculum.
