Tips for Using Nature & Me Activity Cards at School
The Nature & Me activity cards are a set of 54 nature-based activity cards developed to help children identify ways to feel more calm, present and connected through nature-based activities.
About the Nature & Me Activity Cards
All of the activities within the Nature & Me Card deck have been selected to suit different sensory preferences and learning styles and the cards are designed to be used to guide children through a process of exploring what works best for their own unique bodies and brains.
Trialled across a cross-section of of Western Australian schools, we loved hearing how WA teachers were using the cards with their students. Below we have collated their feedback to present a collection of tips and suggestions for using the Nature & Me Activity Cards at school.
“These cards are an absolute asset to any classroom – they are an excellent way to involve students in better understanding themselves and how their body feels and what it needs to be the best body and mind it can be.” Alison Kerimofski, Geographe Education Support Centre
Tips for Using Nature & Me Activity Cards at School
Brain Breaks
Using the Nature & Me Cards as part of everyday classroom routines helps to increase the likelihood that students will draw on shared strategies independently when needed. Individual cards can be utilised as a brain break tool;
- between lessons,
- on return to the classroom after recess or lunch, or
- before starting a challenging task.
“We are utilising the cards as part of our social-emotional learning programme – they provide great brain break/movement break options for our students.”
Alison Kerimofski, Geographe Education Support Centre
Mindfulness Activities
Using the Nature & Me Cards as part of your classroom mindfulness program allows the activities to be introduced during calm, quiet moments.
When paired with the opportunity for reflection, the Nature & Me activities encourage students to build self-awareness, self-management skills and emotional vocabulary. Use simple, reflective questions, such as, “What do you notice in your body now?” or “When might it be helpful for you to use this activity?”
In a timetabled Nature Play session each week children are invited to check-in with their emotions and then choose activities to do in the garden that correlate with their mood.
Rockingham Beach Education Support Centre
“Students love the options presented to them via the cards – it allows them to feel like they are making some choices – it also allows the teaching staff to have engaging conversations about how different activities are right for the different needs of their bodies.”
Alison Kerimofski, Geographe Education Support Centre
Use During Recess or Lunch
Teachers find it handy to have the Nature & Me cards available during break times for those moments when children are overwhelmed by play choices or finding it tricky to join in play.
Staff on duty at break times carry the cards in a bum bag to offer to any children that appear to need support. The child is given the opportunity to select a nature activity card to try. This often attracts other children who are keen to do the activity with them, or who would like to choose an activity card of their own.
Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School
“Students that are struggling to find something to do in the playground at recess and lunch are given a Nature & Me card to stimulate their imagination and curiosity to play…the resource is brilliant in helping support those students who need support in playing and connecting with peers and great for teachers coming in on duty who aren’t used to working with early years.”
Amanda Flatt, Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School
At St Jude’s Catholic Primary School, kindergarten teacher, Estelle Bollen photocopied the Nature & Me introductory instruction cards onto A3 sized paper and laminated them. The poster versions were attached to trees and fences around the playground with the activity cards in a zip lock bag placed next to the them.
“The children were very interested in the posters and activities and would go to the cards when they could relate to the pictures. They then asked a teacher to read the cards. Over the weeks they came to understand what the pictures were asking them to do and would take some friends off to the sand pit or to find different objects in the playground, etc.”
Estelle Bollen, St Jude’s Catholic Primary School
In Regulation Toolkits
Foster greater emotional awareness and self-regulation by using the cards to help children understand what their bodies are telling them.
The Nature & Me Cards are used to help shift students’ mindsets, especially when they feel unsettled or upset through a walk outside, the distraction of a playful activity and engagement in meaningful conversation.
St Munchkin’s Primary School
“Nature activity challenges are used…as one of a range of regulation strategies the teachers offer and model when co-regulating with students.”
Shea McDonald-Eckersall, Rockingham Beach Education Support Centre
During Wonder or Inquiry Time
Help children re-charge, find balance and grow their connection with the world by using the Nature & Me Cards to foster interest in the natural world.
The ‘Slow Down’ nature activity cards are being used by teachers as part of ‘wonder time.’
Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School
“We used the activity cards as a springboard for nature play. We choose a limited amount of activities to offer the class depending on their mood and the day.”
Shea McDonald-Eckersall, Rockingham Beach Education Support Centre
Available Now
Printed by a local, environmentally conscious printing company onto recycled card stock and laminated for durability, the Nature & Me card deck is available now for $30 +P&H.
