Connecting with nature

Climbing trees at Brighton Domain, near Dunedin, yesterday are (above) Sahara Tobaiwa and Bryn Little (both 5), watched by Elements Education director Kim Tenebaum, while (below) Marlon Tobaiwa (8), Chloe Knights (10) and Libby Mooyman (11) make huts.

They were part of a group of Dunedin children getting out into the natural world in an outdoors-themed school holiday programme.

Elements Education brought its nature-based play programme to Brighton yesterday, and it was to run in North East Valley today.

The child care service encouraged children to climb trees, make huts and engage in imaginative play, such as making mud kitchens, or mud pots and pans, Ms Tenebaum said.

‘‘What we aim to do is give them time and space to be kids.’’

The service runs play programmes in various places, including Canterbury and Wellington.