Bush playgroup returns to region

AFTER hosting their inaugural Ballarat sessions last school term, Eco Explorers are bringing their children’s outdoor bush program to the region once more.

Beginning on Wednesday, 13 July, the program invites families with children up to four years old to learn practical lessons about the natural world.

The sessions will take place at Gong Gong Reservoir Park, and Eco Explorers founder and director Melinda Bito said after six years running in Melbourne, she’s excited to see the initiative expanding.

“Ballarat’s has a lot of natural land around it so it’s ideal that we’re moving into this space and getting the local kids in touch with nature,” she said.

“It’s all about sensory play, smelling the leaves and playing in puddles with a sort of mindfulness aspect to it. There’ll be different themes each week based around the change in the environment.

“People want to explore. They want to connect to their community and this does all those things while supporting children’s social skills and mental health.”

The 10-week program will take place each Wednesday with Bush Babies sessions for children aged one to two taking place from 9.30am to 11am.

The Tawny Toddlers sessions for kids aged three to four will follow from 11.30 to 1am, and each week will be facilitated by bush playgroup facilitator and early childcare educator, Janet Lovejoy.

Each session allows up to 12 families, and Ms Bito said the program is also teaching its younger participants how to care for the environment.

“I think that’s an important part as they go into school, they take that love of the environment with them,” she said.

“That was definitely a conscious part of the program, having the children continue that conservationist mindset and really caring for the world around them.”