S3 EP5: Kate and Jack from CERES - An Education For Life Begins With Nature

Send us Fan Mail"Play takes you to a magical place. And it's where everyone learns the most."  In Conversation with Kate Kantor and Jack Nielsen – Educators at CERES (Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) In the final episode of For the Love of Play's third season, we head to the community gardens of CERES to chat with educators, Kate Kantor and Jack Nielsen. Kate and Jack, who work with children in the centre's early education programme, talk to us about what makes nature play so unique and beneficial for everyone, but especially youngsters.  The conversation winds and twists like the paths at CERES. Kate talks about coming to CERES from a theatre background, while Jack discusses his move from music to early childhood learning. Together, they discuss the importance of celebrating all the seasons and playing in different types of weather - even weather typically considered "inclement". Kate tells us how vital it is for adults to affirm the imaginary worlds of children and Jack mentions one of the best parts of play being the absence of "wrong" answers. About CERES Established on the site of a bluestone quarry that had been turned into a rubbish dump, CERES was transformed in 1982. A community-led campaign turned into an environmental revitalisation effort, and what had become a polluted place, devoid of plant and animal life, was quickly turned into a suburban oasis on the banks of the Merri Creek. Today, CERES is home to a nursery, bookstore, urban farms, a wood merchant and an education centre. It also runs a nature playgroup. The CERES websiteCERES' Nature Playgroup pageShow Links Website: For the Love of Play Listen to all episodes: Buzzsprout Follow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcast Learn More About Playgroup Victoria Website: playgroup.org.au Instagram: @playgroupvicofficial Facebook: Playgroup Victoria LinkedIn: Playgroup Victoria Episode Credits Hosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday. Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday. Edited by Jonathan Rivett. Mastering by James North Productions. Music by Selina Byrne. And thanks to our little friends Laddy, Lucy, Toby, Andie and Adelaide for voicing the intro. Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family.  Support the show