Kinder program heads to the beach

A BARWON Heads marine biologist, marine educator and mother of two is sharing her passion and expertise with the launch of Sandy Feet, a nature immersion program for young children and their parents.

Lucy Coventry’s vision is to support children aged between three-and-a-half and six years old to develop a sense of connection with the marine world, using games, stories and informal teaching methods to engage them during weekly beach sessions in Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.

As well as a background in marine biology, Mrs Coventry has spent three years as an educator for Queenscliff’s Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre and is a certified snorkelling instructor, taking groups out to explore the local reefs.

She has also completed a Forest School qualification with the UK-based Forest School Learning Initiative.

“I love doing rockpool rambles: there’s so much joy in watching someone discover a cuttle fish or shark egg for the first time,” she said.

“Watching their eyes light up; seeing them build the confidence to explore, to roll their pants up and wander barefoot is just the best.

“When you put kids in nature, with child-led learning where they choose what they can do, their curiosity, imagination, creativity and social skills bloom.

“The studies show that kids who struggle in an indoor classroom often thrive in a nature-based program.

“Teachers report that students with limited language and writing skills are able to rapidly develop through nature-based learning.”

Mrs Coventry said she had heard other parents say they should spend more time in nature but were time-poor or lacked the knowledge.

“They know they should get down on the sand with their kids but they find it hard to explain what the treasures are that their kids have found, or even just to let the child roam freely.

“But after the year we’ve had, with COVID, people have rediscovered the power of simple activities.

“We take that a step further: showing how the river down the road connects to the ocean; that there’s a whole mini-universe of extraordinary creatures living there.

“We are so lucky to have this incredible coastline at our fingertips. And nature can’t be locked down.”

She said instead of parents dropping off the child and waiting in the car, Sandy Feet brought parents in so they shared the experience with their child.

“The philosophy here is that it enables you to spend time with your child and discover what your child is capable of,” Mrs Coventry said.

“I share my resources and activities with parents so they feel empowered to facilitate activities with their kids in the future.

“I bring all the equipment and they also love that they don’t have to pack it up!”

Sandy Feet will be held at Barwon Heads River sessions every Thursday from 10-11.30am between February 4 and April 1, and in Ocean Grove every Tuesday from 10-11.30am from February 2 to March 30.

For more information on the program, head to sandyfeetbeachkinder.com.au.