On Wednesday the excitement was palpable as the Gan Rimon and Gan Tamar children arrived at Kinder, all ready and eager for the day’s adventure (thank you parents!). In preparation for our excursion, we had discussed important safety rules, including the importance of always staying within sight of the teachers. We also talked about the different animals and plants we might encounter in the Urban Forest and the senses we would be using: looking, smelling, hearing, and touching. But what if we came across a spider or a snake? Should we touch them? A resounding “NO!” echoed from the group.

The bus ride to the Urban Forest was buzzing with excitement as the children pointed out all sorts of sights outside their windows.

Liam: “There are so many transformers on the road… I can see Optimus Prime!” (referring to a transport truck).

Upon arriving, we made our way to the back of the Urban Forest. We gathered on a picnic mat for morning tea, taking a moment to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We discussed the importance of respecting the animals, plants, and waterways, which meant no plucking leaves or disturbing the wildlife.

Due to ongoing work in the Urban Forest over the next 5-6 weeks, we stayed in the northern part of the park. But that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits—the children were thrilled to run up and down the giant mulch mounds. Their confidence was evident as they ventured into the bush, many recalling memories of visiting the same spot last year. It was wonderful to watch them fully immerse themselves in the natural environment, playing imaginative games from superheroes to building campfires and digging for hidden treasures.

We were also lucky to have a special visitor: Clancey, a park gardener for the City of Stonnington.

Clancey explained her role and introduced the children to some of the animals that call the Urban Forest home, including ducks, a Tawny Frogmouth, a Blue-tongue Lizard, a Growling Grassfrog, a Banjo Frog, and long-necked turtles. We learned that most of these animals love eating bugs and can get sick if fed bread, an important lesson in protecting wildlife.

The children showed their creativity, their imagination and their ability to adapt to learning in a space with natural and limited resources. We observed a very empathetic and caring culture whilst the children were at the Urban Forest. The children couldn’t wipe their smiles off their faces. The played beautifully together and made some amazing memories. We can’t wait for our next bush kinder. 

Lisa and Amanda 
Kindergarten Teachers