Montessori Mornings in Nature

🌿New sessions coming soon!!🌿

We haven’t been open at all since the pandemic phase era and the government restrictions that came along with that. Once they were lifted I had my second baby and now that they are a little older I am getting ready to start sessions again and would love to start gathering expressions of interest.

I will be structuring the play group a little differently and am still working on this.

If you would be interested in a nature play play group in the knox/The Basin/Belgrave area then please send me a DM and I will add you to the list of people to send out an info pack to when it is finished being finalised 🌿

Such beautiful ideas to create some Christmas decorations inspired by nature with your little one!

I think we might try to dry some orange slices and make the pinecone and orange slice window hanging (might sub in gum nuts as my toddler has a whole basket full of those in his nature basket!).

I also love the 'whimsical branch display' instead of a traditional Christmas tree.....Will keep you posted how we go.

Hope everyone is enjoying getting ready for the holiday season however your family chooses to celebrate it.

12 Natural Christmas Decorations Ditch the store-bought decor this holiday season and head outdoors for natural, stunning Christmas decorations in every room of your house.

FRESH HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH

It's time for a fresh batch of homemade playdough as the previous one was getting a bit stiff and dry. I forgot how soft and lovely it feels!
Super easy and my 2 year old had a great time helping and then playing with it!

Recipe:
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
- 1 tablespoon oil (I used coconut)
- 1 cup of boiling water
- food colouring

Add boiling water, coconut oil and food colour into a separate jug/cup. Stir to melt oil and then add to dry ingredients and stir for a while to get it smooth and help it thicken. Mine took a little bit to thicken and then I could knead it on a board and it turned perfect consistency. Can add extra flour at end if it is just too sticky.

WAITING FOR REFUND?

If you are still waiting on an email from me in regards to a full refund for Term 3, 2021 then please email me your bank account details (BSB, Account number and name) and I will process that for you ASAP! Send to [email protected]

I look forward to seeing you all in a big nature gathering when we can and do another meet and greet etc. It is now more than ever we need to form connections with other nature lovers and like-minded community members, especially when we have little ones!

Warmest regards,
Glenda.

Nature Playgroup is officially cancelled for this term.

However, this will not be the end, just a little blip at the start of our journey :)

Any questions - [email protected]

Warm regards,
Glenda.

PLAYGROUP STILL CANCELLED

With Lockdown #6 extended again, Playgroup will still be cancelled until this is finished and when outdoor gathering restrictions increase to 20 people or more 😞

Apologies everyone for a very uneventful first term of Playgroup, I know it's out of my hands but I hope things improve soon.

I will be emailing all members soon regarding this as well with an update.

In other news, it's a lovely morning today so hope you can all get out and enjoy it before it changes! ☀️

Glenda.

Due to the current Lockdown extension, Week 3 will also be cancelled (27th & 28th July) as well as Week 2 (this week). Let’s hope Week 4 can go ahead if restrictions ease enough!

I will be in touch later on with all playgroup members and am currently working on the website instead (since I have some space to now) to have that up and running in the next few weeks 🙂 - that’s the plan anyway!

(Photos from our week 1 playgroup at Wicks Reserve in The Basin) 🌿

Today was our first session of nature playgroup for term 3!!

Was lots of fun - complete with mud kitchen play, exploring our environment, and a failed attempt at story time! (Kids we’re having too much fun) 😛

Can’t wait for tomorrow’s session! 🌿🌱🌳🌧 (bring your wet weather gear and gumboots for those puddles!)

All set for the our first sessions of playgroup tomorrow and Wednesday for Term 3!

The organic fruit we got at Station Street Food Co. today looks amazing! I’m sure the little kids will love it 🍎

For those attending, make sure to bring water, dress warmly, and bring a snack if you wish.

See you in nature 🍃

Getting ready for the start of Montessori Mornings Nature Playgroup next week!

Mud kitchen kit ✅
Natural play dough ✅
Magnifying glasses ✅
Small garden tools ✅
And lots more!...

So much to do still but looking forward to seeing everyone for some fun in nature 🍃

We are now officially a registered playgroup with Playgroups Victoria!(www.playgroup.org.au). I had to choose only one location so I chose Wicks Reserve but there are 4 different locations across the term.

Term 3 starts next week! And while the Wednesday session is now full, there are still places left in the Tuesday session (and you are welcome to join the wait list for Wednesday).

Send a DM or email us at [email protected] for more info or to join in the fun! 🌿🌿

Nature play is perfect for giving children the opportunity to take risks but in a controlled manner. You can’t verbally teach these skills, they need to be discovered by the child.

❤️💚❤️

(Meme via Stephanie Herscovitz - Kinesiology - The Wellness Web)

RETURNING TO WORK OR STUDY IN 2021?

Send a message or email me if you are wanting to return to work or planning on studying this year and wish to join the Montessori Mornings Nature Playgroup with your toddler.

You may be eligible for a FULLY FUNDED place in the playgroup if this is the case! Even if you are not sure, just send me an email or a DM.

PLAYGROUP OPEN DAY!

This Wednesday 30th June (in 2 days), I will be at the Tim Neville Arboretum at 10.30am if anyone is interested in joining the Playgroup (starting Term 3) but either hasn't yet or has questions, wants to meet the facilitator etc (even if you have enrolled already and just want to catch up - please come along!!

I will have a few copies of the enrolment forms printed that you can fill in on the day if you decide to join, and the kids can have a casual play in the area as well (no planned activities - just free play!).

Whilst it is free to come along (as it's just an informal chat and play), if anyone is interested in attending then please DM me, or email me at [email protected] (just so I can be aware of numbers).

If you can't make it at 10.30am, I will be there for about an hour so feel free to come along any time in that space :)

Hope to see you there!

Glenda.