Nature Play with Fiona Jackson
Back to the basics of inquiry-based learning – that is the goal for Stonyfell resident and family daycare provider Fiona Jackson.
Operating out of her home four days a week, Fiona is dedicated to guiding the children in her care to expand their knowledge through nature play and imagination exploration, with local parklands Michael Perry Botanic Reserve, Hazelwood Park, Bell Yett Reserve and Langman Reserve just a few of the spaces used.
A former childcare worker in London, Fiona, or ‘Fi-Fi’ to the kids, has been based in Adelaide for 14 years and remains in awe of the quality of reserves in the Burnside area.
‘It was wonderful over there [in London],’ Fiona said. ‘But it is somehow even more wonderful here.’
‘Michael Perry Reserve has evolved in such a beautiful and magical way; the team has done wonders there. It was so foresty, all the children have seen the development. Burnside has done an incredible job leading the way for discovery and creating a beautiful community space.’
Aged between three and five, the children in Fiona’s care are taught the importance of the environment as well as a deep respect for nature. Studying stream flows, flowers, trees, and birds, the children are encouraged to guide themselves through their interests of the day.
‘We meander and they lead me, they lead me down the footpath of curiosity and go through what they wish to do.
‘I don’t tell them what to do, I facilitate their inquiry, but I want them to learn through their senses. Life is so structured, here it is completely different.
‘My aim is to grow their creativity, critical thinking skills and social-emotional literacy, by cultivating a collaborative and respectful group dynamic.’
With so many high-quality reserves on her doorstep, Fiona and the children take daily trips to the local spaces to familiarise themselves with the local wildlife and vegetation.
Burnside Technical Officer of Conservation and Land Management, Dr Mark Ellis said Fiona was developing great environmental values in the children by teaching them how to interact with nature while understanding the delicacy of their surroundings.
‘Fiona is fantastic and has a really well-thought-out philosophy of nature play and education,’ Mark said.
‘She respects our sites and instils this in the children - so often nature play means destroying what we are trying to preserve, but Fiona finds that balance.’
The City of Burnside was once again named a Tree City of the World for 2023 by the Arbor Day Foundation and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, providing some of the safest and most diverse reserves and parklands in South Australia.
Fiona Jackson at Michael Perry Botanic Reserve
