Centennial Parklands launches Australian first education initiative

Centennial Parklands has launched a number of new and exciting environmental education initiatives including a newly developed and first of its kind 'Bush Connections' program for Australian early childhood professionals.

Launched yesterday (Thursday 6th December), Centennial Parklands' new educational partnerships and programs for 2013 include:

• The 'Bush connections' education unit with Sydney Institute of TAFE;
• The launch of the new 2013 outdoor learning program;
• E-learning opportunities with LJ Harper and IBM;
• The introduction of a new interactive white board.

Developed in partnership with Centennial Parklands, Sydney Institute of TAFE, the Early Childhood Environmental Education Network (ECEEN), 'Bush connections' unit is the first of its kind in Australia.

It is a unique training opportunity specifically designed to support early childhood students with the competency to work with small groups of young children within the Australian bush.

Centennial Parklands Director and Chief Executive Kim Ellis explained that "aligned with the NSW Government's Early Years Learning Framework, 'Bush Connections' will assist early childhood educators develop confidence and skills to encourage children into natural bush settings.

"Centennial Parklands landscape provides a vital learning resource for the students as the training is specific to our landscape, bush heritage both pre and post settlement and ecology."

"Children under the age of six who have opportunities to connect with nature and their local ecosystems are more likely to become more environmentally aware adults. This will encourage children who participate in Bush Connection programs to grow as future sustainable citizens of Australia."

To date interested individuals have had to travel to the northern hemisphere to places such as Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom to gain access to training in Forest Schools and Pre-School Nature Education. Now by participating in the Bush Connections unit, Early Childhood Professionals can elect to complete this competency as part of the Certificate 3 or Diploma course here in Australia.

Professor Sue Elliot, Australian Catholic University, who helped develop the unit added "the international forest preschool movement originated in Scandinavia in the 1950's and has now reached Australia. A small number of bush and beach kinder programs have been established, but there is much to be done to resource and develop these programs nationally.

"A key aspect is targeted training that offers not only comprehensive coverage of relevant knowledge and skills, but opportunities to question human connections with nature and explore the pedagogies of nature play.

"The proposed unit has the potential to be implemented nationally through the TAFE sector as the recognised training unit for early years educators working with young children in natural settings."

An innovator and leader in the field of nature education, Centennial Parklands education space will be used to facilitate Australian children's connections to the natural environments of our Australian Bush, and develop an understanding of our unique place within this diverse country.

For further information call 02 9339 6699 or visit www.centennialparklands.com.au/education 

16th November 2012 - SYDNEY’S CENTENNIAL PARK ANNOUNCES PROGRAM OF 125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

17th October 2011 - KINGS PARK FACILITY TO ENTICE CHILDREN BACK OUTSIDE 

9th March 2011 - NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO LEAD CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS

2nd June 2010 - CENTENNIAL PARK TRUSTEES THREATEN RESIGNATION