Play and Nature Connection: Tools for Wellbeing

A day of play, nature connection and practical upskilling:

Join Daniel Burton and Kylie Keane for a practical and thought-provoking full-day workshop for educators, designed to deepen your understanding of the power of play and nature connection in education. This hands-on session invites educators to reflect on their role, reframe their approach, and build strategies for meaningful engagement with children and the environment.

Through engaging discussions, reflective practices, and immersive activities, this workshop will explore:

Natural Flow: Understanding how the rhythms of nature can inspire a more grounded and responsive approach to teaching.
What Is Our Purpose?: Reflecting on your ‘why’ to strengthen your sense of direction and clarity in your work.
Recognising Our Play Bias: Identifying and addressing how biases towards play influence practice and relationships.
Engaging in Space: Discovering how to connect deeply within spaces to create meaningful relationships and richer learning environments.
The Adult Role: Shifting from being ‘everything to everyone’ to an intentional, supportive presence that empowers others.

Special Feature: Hear a shared story from a local ECEC service on their inspiring journey in engaging with natural environment a, highlighting the barriers faced, the steps taken, and the positive impact on both children’s and educators’ wellbeing.

✅ Morning tea and lunch included.
✅ Practical tools for immediate impact in your learning environments.
✅ Perfect for educators seeking professional growth and inspiration.

Participants will leave with a renewed enthusiasm and perspective on their role in fostering play and connection. Kylie and Daniel will demonstrate how embodying joy and finding purpose in simplicity can enhance both your practice and the experiences you create for your whole community.

This workshop is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and refine your approach — acknowledging the impact you make in every moment.

Details

Friday 14th Feb
9am – 4pm
Birrigai Outdoor School, Canberra
Price - $250 (including GST)

This event will also run in Perth! More details here.

About the Presenters

Daniel Burton
Daniel Burton is the CEO and co-founder of Educated by Nature, a world leader in play-based nature education since its establishment in 2014. With a background as a qualified primary school teacher, education consultant, rites of passage facilitator, and passionate nature connection mentor, Daniel brings a wealth of experience to his work in outdoor education.

Daniel's passion for nature and holistic education is evident in his work. He blends current research with practical strategies, drawing on a lifetime of learning and hands-on experience to create transformative programs for educators, parents, and children. Under his leadership, Educated by Nature has developed a suite of research-based pedagogies aimed at bringing education outdoors and has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to play-based learning in natural environments.

Daniel continues to advocate for the importance of play and nature connection, empowering educators to create rich, nature-immersive experiences that foster resilience, creativity, and wellbeing for both children and themselves.

Kylie Keane
Kylie Keane is a highly experienced Playworker, advocate, and consultant at Keen About, with a strong commitment to championing children and young people’s right to play. With over a decade of experience, Kylie has successfully integrated the Playwork approach, grounded in the Playwork Principles, into Early Childhood Education and Care settings. Her contributions have earned her recognition, including being part of a team that achieved "Exceeding" and "Excellence" ratings twice, highlighting their dedication to Playwork and advocacy for play as a fundamental right.

Kylie’s professional journey has taken her across the UK, the US, and Australia, where she has immersed herself in the global landscape of play and Playwork. Her international experience, combined with her unwavering passion for the transformative power of play, informs her consultancy work. She supports individuals and organisations in creating the optimal physical and psychological conditions for play, fostering environments that not only promote the wellbeing of children and young people but also that of their educators and families.