Play Naturally OT is a nature-based therapeutic service delivered by an experienced Occupational Therapist, designed to support children, families, and educators to connect with nature through play. Using evidence-based, sensory-rich activities, the service builds emotional regulation, social confidence, physical development, cognitive function, and environmental awareness - all while having fun!

Group therapeutic Nature Connection sessions are engaging, developmentally appropriate, and therapeutic. Each session includes circle time, songs, acknowledgement of country, nature education, and hands-on nature play activities. Sessions help children calm their bodies, build coordination and confidence, and strengthen their connection to themselves and each other. As we like to say - children need to regulate before they can educate!

Educator coaching and professional development supports early childhood educators to understand the what, why, and how of nature connection in ECEC settings - because educator wellbeing matters too.

Family sessions and workshops complement the program by bringing nature connection home and into the community, extending the benefits beyond the 'classroom'.

Play Naturally OT strives to support children, educators, and families to explore, learn, and thrive — and through nature play, this is possible!

Find out more at playnaturallyot.com.au/for-educators

Play Naturally OT guides children to tune in to their natural environment to:

• calm their bodies - building emotional regulation, resilience, and coping skills
• care for nature and themselves - developing emotional maturity, social interaction skills, and healthy habits
• improve coordination and confidence - strengthening motor skills and independence and
• connect with themselves and each other - enhancing communication, language, and relationship skills.

Play Naturally OT is delivered across three in-person interconnected streams, ensuring children, educators, and families all benefit from nature connection.

• Group therapeutic Nature Connection sessions are delivered in-person, weekly in 1-hour sessions over 4-8 weeks. Each session focuses on different senses to deepen nature connection through play, and therefore 8 sessions are ideal to allow chance to focus on each of the 8 senses in more depth, however a shortened 4, 5 or 6 session programs can be tailored to suit. Resources can also be provided to support continual nature connection play beyond the sessions.

• Educator coaching and professional development is delivered in-person, in a 2-hour session and family sessions and workshops are tailored to suit the needs of each setting and community.

Together, these three streams create a whole-community approach to nature connection - supporting children to regulate, learn, and thrive, while building the capacity of the educators and families around them.

The Group therapeutic Nature Connection Program is $280 per session (up to 30 children) or $2,240 for the full recommended program of 8 sessions. The Educator and/or Family Professional Development session is $600 for a 2-hour session. The family nature sessions will be in addition. All costs are GST exclusive. Travel is complimentary for services within 5km or 15 minutes of Blackwood, South Australia. Beyond this, travel is charged at $160 per hour, rounded up to the nearest 10 minutes.