NPWA Media Dr Kelsie Prabawa Sear

Nature Play WA: McGowan family join more than 1000 children in celebration of nature play at Kings Park

April 15, 2023 | Comments Off on Nature Play WA: McGowan family join more than 1000 children in celebration of nature play at Kings Park

by Sarah Makse Children got their hands dirty and their feet wet at a huge celebration of outdoor nature play on Saturday, with Premier Mark McGowan and his family stopping by Kings Park to join in the fun. More than 1000 children flocked to the Rio Tinto Naturescape park for the Nature Play WA event, […]

Nature therapy for children

April 15, 2023 | Comments Off on Nature therapy for children

by Chantelle Toohey With an increasing number of children suffering from anxiety and stress, parents are being urged to consider a simple and free way to help their kids cope. It’s known as nature therapy, and today thousands of WA  kids ditched the iPads to promote getting outside and having some good old fashioned fun. […]

Little hands can help too

April 10, 2023 | Comments Off on Little hands can help too

I recently had the pleasure of attending my first Telethon Giving Ceremony. Having grown up in Perth, I have always felt a connection to Telethon, Fat Cat, Rick and Susannah, and the kids’ hospital (PMH back then). I knew that WA was special because of Telethon and every year I felt a rush of happiness […]

New research reveals lack of risky play could contribute to children’s future mental health problems

April 9, 2023 | Comments Off on New research reveals lack of risky play could contribute to children’s future mental health problems

by Jade Jurewicz Parents should be encouraging their kids to embrace a bit of outdoor rough and tumble as new research reveals a lack of risky play could be contributing to future mental health problems. *** Nature Play WA chief executive officer Dr Kelsie Prabawa-Sear adds it’s also OK to let kids get bored. “You […]

The future of kids’ play: why local experts want you to let your kids get bored and take risks

April 9, 2023 | Comments Off on The future of kids’ play: why local experts want you to let your kids get bored and take risks

by Jade Jurewicz A recent Royal Children’s Hospital of Melbourne Child Health poll revealed 94 per cent of parents recognise the necessity of play for a child’s health, including physical wellbeing and brain development. Despite noting its significance, less than half of Australian kids play outside most days and 80 per cent of adults would […]

Risk taking a part of healthy, resilient childhood

March 13, 2023 | Comments Off on Risk taking a part of healthy, resilient childhood

Recent research out of the Royal Children’s Hospital delivered some good news — 94 per cent of parents recognise the benefits of play for a child’s physical, wellbeing and brain development. Good news for those of us in the business of raising happy, healthy humans. We know that a child’s physical, wellbeing and brain development […]

Wildlings Podcast: The Power of Nature Play with Dr. Kelsie Prabawa-Sear

February 28, 2023 | Comments Off on Wildlings Podcast: The Power of Nature Play with Dr. Kelsie Prabawa-Sear

From the Wildlings Podcast website: We all know that getting children outside is good for them, but that doesn’t mean that everybody that works with/for children does. That is where organisations like Nature Play WA come in and why I have invited CEO and researcher, Dr. Kelsie Prabawa-Sear onto the podcast today to share why […]

An older woman holding a child's hand as they walk into the ocean.

Why the summer break is a perfect opportunity to experience the joy of our beaches

January 9, 2023 | Comments Off on Why the summer break is a perfect opportunity to experience the joy of our beaches

The summer break is a perfect opportunity to experience the joy of blue space — coasts, rivers, lakes. Most of us who grew up around salt water hold fond memories of the smells associated with it. These smells can instantly transport a stressed adult mind back to feelings of childhood freedom with fresh winds and […]

Survive school holidays with a list of things that make your kids happy

December 12, 2022 | Comments Off on Survive school holidays with a list of things that make your kids happy

by Kelsie Prabawa-Sear We are staring down the beginning of another long summer holiday and I’m wondering if other parents and carers are feeling like me — a bit out of form when it comes to making the most of summer with the kids. After a few years of restrictions, last summer resembling an inferno, […]

We Acknowledge
Nature Play WA acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, as the custodians of the land where our team lives and works. We also acknowledge the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and recognise the continuing connection of Indigenous people to their land, waters, sky, culture and community. We pay our respect to all Indigenous people of this land; ancestors, elders and young ones.