Nature Navigators
At Casey Grammar School, we understand that the early years are full of curiosity, energy and imagination.
Our Nature Navigators program, designed for Foundation to Year 2 students, offers an enriching and playful connection to the outdoors.
The Nature Navigators program is grounded in research informed, play-based learning. Each nature day is designed to nurture curiosity, connection and creativity. While the focus is on unstructured exploration, students also engage in a variety of enriching experiences that support their growth across physical, emotional, social and intellectual domains. The following focus areas guide our approach and help shape meaningful, nature-based learning opportunities.
Supported by contemporary research and insights from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, the Nature Navigators program:
- Provide diverse experiences in the real world
- Build capacity to function with greater confidence and independence, as students learn to take reasonable risks
- Provide support in the development of attunement, which is absolutely critical to student development and growth, building community, belonging and social skills
- Reduce stress and anxiety as time in nature has shown to help calm the nervous system, lower stress and balance hormone levels
- Boost brain development and creativity through open-ended outdoor play that encourages imagination, problem solving and flexible thinking
- Improve physical strength and coordination through activities such as climbing, balancing and exploring, which build strong, capable bodies
- Build social skills and emotional intelligence through opportunities to collaborate, negotiate and empathise through natural group play
- Promote improved focus in learning as studies have shown that time outdoors improves attention span and regulation, which support success in school and life
- Balance screen time with real-world experiences, offering a healthy alternative to passive digital time, improving mental well-being
