Getting back to nature play – a testimonial from John Wall

For more than 20 years, John Wall has specialised in the strategic analysis and development of sustainable childcare (sic.) centres, focusing on encouraging “happy children and healthy bottom lines”.

John Wall Childcare is family-owned and operated, managed by John and his wife Julie alongside their son Jono. Jono has been working in the background and the backyards of centres across the country, and as an ex-carpenter, has been responsible for some incredible woodworking components in many of the centres’ playgrounds. Jono joined the team last year and now also specialises in managing new start-ups alongside his dad John – who he describes as “an inspiration and a great teacher”.

In the piece below, John reflects on how to “keep childcare simple” and focus on recapturing care-free days spent playing in the backyard, and on the benefits of engaging in nature-based play for children. 

Memories of play

Do you remember your backyard when you were a kid? 

Let me tell you about mine before the internet and tablets – it was swinging on a Hills Hoist clothesline in the backyard, a swimming pool, and a puddle after the rain. 

“What are you doing inside?” my Mum would shout out if she spotted us near the television during the summer holidays. “Go outside, it’s a beautiful day,” she’d say. So, out we went, disappearing into our large yard to see what adventures awaited us, for our backyard was the beginning and end of all our adventures over the summer holidays. 

There wasn’t much in our backyard. except a Hills Hoist, which was good for swinging on; a tree that was good for climbing up, making tree houses in, and hanging an old tyre swing from; a vege garden in the corner; grass for a slip and slide; and a homemade barbecue. 

It was perfect for family get-togethers and drop ins from neighbours, ready to share a barbecued sausage and a cold drink. 

“Less screen time, more play time for our children” is our catch cry in 2023! Let’s bring the best out of children this year.

Why natural play?

As the team at Bush Kindy Explorers note, nature play has a number of benefits for children: 

• Children who play regularly in natural settings are sick less often. 

• Mud, sand, water, leaves, sticks, gum nuts and pinecones can help to stimulate a child’s immune system as well as their imagination. 

• Children who spend more time outside tend to be more physically active and less likely to be overweight. 

• Children who play in natural settings are more resistant to stress; have lower incidence of behavioural disorders, anxiety, and depression; and have a higher measure of self-worth. 

• Children who play in nature-based settings play in more diverse, imaginative, and creative ways, and show improved language and collaboration skills. 

Single use, repetitive play equipment becomes boring quickly. Natural, irregular, and challenging spaces help children learn to recognise, assess, and negotiate risk and build confidence and competence. 

Children who play in nature have more positive feelings about each other, and bullying behaviour is greatly reduced where children have access to diverse nature-based play environments. 

In addition, symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder are reduced after contact with nature.

How does nature play happen at John Wall services? 

The outdoor environment at individual John Wall services varies, however most services boast  many sand pits, large bike tracks, challenging risky dry creek beds, waterparks, large grassy areas for children to run around in, a barnyard which is home to goats, chickens, ducks, guinea pigs, reptiles and a wide range of bird species.

There’s also a Garden World where children learn how to plant, tend to and eat a variety of herbs and vegetables.

Everything is a journey at one of our services. A voyage that teaches children to interact with the environment, entertain themselves and prepare them for the next steps in their learning.

We have an emphasis on ‘real play”’ where shoes for children are optional and getting dirty is compulsory. It is about bringing back the Wild Hood for children.

Nature play is one of the many topics which will be covered at the upcoming Early Learning Symposium in Cairns, on Monday 5 June. For more information, or to secure tickets, see here.