THE next generation of explorers are making some of their first outdoor discoveries at The Gatekeeper\u2019s Cottage by the Botanical Gardens.<\/p>\n
Across 10 Tuesday mornings this term, children under the age of five are participating in BotaniKIDS, which aims to encourage learning through nature play.<\/p>\n
The sessions are facilitated by Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, however convenor Julie Bradby said another group is helping the volunteers deliver the education program in 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve partnered with Loreto College\u2019s Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning program to support the students in their practical applied learning,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe girls who are thinking about careers in horticulture, childcare or early childhood education are going to focus on creating nature explorer kits for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith guidance from us, they\u2019ll work out what\u2019s suitable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The BotaniKIDS prototype explorer kit, which the students may take inspiration from, is a mini case which includes crayons, a clipboard, a sample container, bag and peg, a watercolour painting set, and magnifying glasses.<\/p>\n
When children head out for a nature walk, which they do every BotaniKIDS session, the Loreto students are set to head out with them, and their parent or guardians, developing a relationship with the young family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe children will use their nature explorer kits to collect samples relating to our program. They might look at leaves in more detail, for example,\u201d Mrs Bradby said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key thing about this program is the intergenerational engagement and relationships.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got little ones from two years old, their parents, the students, and us as volunteers who are mostly over the age of 70, and are either ex-teachers or ex-nurses.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE next generation of explorers are making some of their first outdoor discoveries at The Gatekeeper\u2019s Cottage by the Botanical Gardens. Across 10 Tuesday mornings this term, children under the age of five are participating in BotaniKIDS, which aims to encourage learning through nature play. The sessions are facilitated by Friends of the Ballarat Botanical […]<\/p>\n