Ngā mihi o te wā
This edition of Pitopito Kōrero highlights activity ideas for learning from home and enjoying your nearby nature. Out your front door, in your garden, on your balcony, from the window and around your property- these are all outdoor spaces you can enjoy. We hope these are useful ideas you can use with your own whānau, and to share with your students when you return to your virtual classroom.
Spending time in nature with your whānau/household/bubble is something we can all do to care for ourselves and support our wellbeing through the lockdown, which can be a stressful and isolating time. Being outdoors relaxes us, it helps us calm down, while improving our mental and physical health. Time outdoors is important for the health and wellbeing of all age groups.
About enjoying nature during the lockdown-
- Take time in nature but stay close to home
- Time spent in nature keeps us fit and calms the mind. We must all look after ourselves and loved ones during this time.
- To prevent the spread of COVID-19, choose a quiet location close to home, keep a safe distance from others and follow all government guidance.
As always, please don't hesitate to contact us if you require any advice or have any feedback about this newsletter or our resources. We would love to hear from you!
Stay safe! Kia kaha!
DOC Outreach and Education team
Activity ideas and useful websites
Department of Conservation- Learning from home
This new webpage highlights why it is important to spend time in nature during these circumstances. Find fun activities to do with your whanau/household/bubble to connect with your nearby nature, stay active and be creative.
5 Things to do in your bubble – from the 50 Things to do in nature programme
Each week, the 50 things programme will be highlighting 5 activities that you and your whanau/household/bubble can do in your outdoor space. This will include tips and tricks on how you could do each activity. All the activities featured, originate from the 50 things competition where children from across Aotearoa told us their favourite activities in nature.
Toyota Kiwi Guardians - actions to do in your backyard
A fun thing to do during lock down is to go camping – at home! This can be done in a tent on the lawn, under the stars, sleeping out on the porch or deck. You can even camp inside, if the weather is too wet and wild! Build your own hut out of sheets and chairs.
New Zealand Geographic- Together at home
Every day of the lockdown, New Zealand Geographic are posting a story or video about the living world with some talking points that can be shared among your family.
Kids Greening Taupō- Online nature classroom
Our Online Nature Classroom has been created to provide a space for fun nature learning while spending time at home. Each weekly lesson will focus on a different nature theme and include a range of activities for nature connection and learning in your own backyard/local green space. Feel free to do as little or as much of each weekly lesson as you would like, at your own pace.
StayiNatHome
Use the iNaturalist app to help explore and identify plants and animals in your home and nearby nature. There will be a lot of plants, animals, and fungi living out their lives in your garden, and in your house. Some will look amazing. Some will have amazing life histories. Some may never have been recorded in your neighbourhood before. The more you look, the more you'll find. Let’s share what we find, marvel at what others find, and weather out this storm together.
Ministry of Education- Learning from home
This website contains advice and resources for parents and whānau, teachers and leaders spanning early learning through to senior secondary to support learning at home.
The resources include activities that parents can use with their children and young people alongside what teachers provide.
National Library- AnyQuestions
National Library runs a service to support student research. AnyQuestions offers free, online help to assist NZ students with inquiries. From 1 - 6pm weekdays, students can log on and chat with a librarian who will help guide their research and teach them valuable info literacy skills so they can find the info for themselves.
Share your learning from home in nature stories and ideas!
We would love to hear your stories about what you are doing at home to connect with your nearby nature.
Can you share with us how being in nature makes you feel? We will share these stories to help inspire others to enjoy their local nature and look after their wellbeing.
Young people enjoying nearby nature