International Best Practice Nature Play Festival

The festival will comprise of 3 major focuses. The first is a Conference which offers keynote early childhood professionals access to workshops from leading international and local authorities. Some 200 teachers and childcare workers are able to attend and participate raising knowledge, skill levels and extending collaborative networks. 2. The dinner would allow the International speakers and the hosting organisation to outline the benefits of Nature Play to the community of people in local and state government departments that have oversight of Nature play programs. 3. Families will also have access to authorities and be involved in nature play activities.

Access to nature play and the outdoors is essential for healthy child development, physical health, mental health and wellbeing. Children who engage in active outdoor play in natural environments demonstrate higher levels of resilience, self regulation, and develop skills for dealing with stress later in life. Outdoor play facilitates socialization and connection with peers, the community and the environment, reduces feelings of isolation, builds interpersonal skills and facilitates healthy development. There is an extensive international evidence base to support these notions. A detailed survey has been conducted of the fledgeling and rapidly expanding nature play community and the barriers identified.