Our senses were developed, by Nature, through interacting with her. We had to make sense of the world to survive and thrive. Observation, analysis, imagination and contemplation were vital aspects for our species when it came to the natural world. Now these practices have become hobbies not necessities. Thankfully, people are still interested in pursuing a connection with Nature, because those that do feel the benefits that can never fully be defined but do definitely bring balance, wellbeing, knowledge and satisfaction. Helping our children to participate in the study and dance of life is crucial to living a happy life. Without a sense of curiosity, we lack motivation. Without playfulness in our hearts, we will turn to vices like video games and binge on media. Without observing Nature and the forces of life, we cannot see ourselves or our own problems and become subject to the unknown world of Natural forces that we cannot see, touch or feel because our culture has blinded us from it. But with Nature as our ally, teacher, mentor, playmate and friend we can create a life so rich, so beautiful, so powerful that many lives lived like that can change the world into a great place to be. To get further insight into our thoughts on this topic, read on via the blogpost section of our website. Link in bio.

Winter is here! Winter is the time for going within, connecting to the Soul, working on projects, staying nourished, conserving energy, producing imagination and staying warm. The fallen leaves from Autumn have created a warm blanket for the seeds to stay strong through the Winter and wait for the Spring when they can start to grow. In Steiner schools, Winter is celebrated with communal singing, bonfires, soups and knitting warm winter clothes. It is important that children, families and humans stay connected to the seasons and the change in the environment. Staying in touch with the seasons is one way to reflect upon the seasons in our own life. What winter activities, awareness, or philosophy are you enacting this winter? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below! Stay Warm, because - Life Rocks!

Build it and they will learn 🧱 💪🏼 🌿

A quote from world-renowned Aussie Farmer Peter Andrews book, Back From the Brink: "I'm in favor of weeds, by which I mean the plants that farmers generally regard as weeds. "Get rid of weeds" is an instinct that is rooted in all of us, and it has alot to do with appearance. Dinosaurs ate nothing but weeds. Only later after weeds had made the land fertile enough did grass appear, enabling the mammals that fed upon the grasses to become dominant. This happened just 2 billion years ago. I view weeds as an essential contributor to the health and well being of rural land in Australia." This perspective is wildly entertaining for children to think about. It goes far beyond the normal; Child: "What's that Mum?" Mum: "Just a weed darling" This is the sort of information that not only needs sharing with children, but with all aspects of society, especially landcare and national parks who often over use weed killer to "save the original Australian environment", whatever that means. Curiosity goes so much further than dogma. Peter Andrew's work and life is testament to the fact that participation, observation and listening to nature has so much more meaning and depth than repeating the "facts" handed out by institutions. and remember . . . LIFE ROCKS!

Connecting our children to nature is in many ways simple. But in the modern age, it's by no means easy! Over the years, we've spoken with parents, teachers, mentors, elders and other experts in the field to find out exactly what works and what doesn't. If you're keen to get the ball rolling and not sure where to start, this resource is for you! To download a free copy of our Nature Connection PDF, simply head to our website (link in bio) 🍃

This is a great time to plant NATIVES! And speaking of natives, this is one of our absolute favorites - Callistemon or 'Bottlebrush'. Doesn't it just have that classic Aussie look? Callistemon are mostly found in the more temperate regions of Australia, especially along the east coast and typically favor moist conditions so when planted in gardens thrive on regular watering. Like many natives, they are hearty and resilient, so they make for a great low-maintenance choice in the garden. It can be a tough time of year but it's just a couple of weeks until the days start getting a little longer. Stay warm out there folks!

What is more fearsome and amazing than a volcano? Here are some of our favourite facts about them. 1. Most volcanoes are underwater, sometimes when they erupt they can cause giant waves or earthquakes. 2. Most land volcanoes are in Indonesia and on the islands in the pacific ocean where the earths plates meet. 3. Mauna Loa is the biggest volcano on Earth and is in Hawaai 4. Sometimes volcanoes release ash clouds, volcanic vapours and occasionally lava! 5. Volcanoes are like mountains with a vent that goes down into the hot earth's mantle where hot liquid rock resides. 6. As pressure below the volcano builds, this pressure may result in an eruption! We have a volcanoes kit coming out one day! Until then, here are a couple of videos for you to enjoy with the kids. 🌋 Volcanoes Introduction for Kids 👇🏼 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jxeh-yAXek (Link in Bio) 🌋 Volcanoe Experiement👇🏼 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AqoOOJ3H_I (Link in Bio)

This month's animal is the mysterious Platypus! The Platypus is world-renowned for it's obscurity and rare qualities and is a great one to teach the kids about. Check out some of our favourite facts below. 1. A platypus has a body like an otter, a bill and webbed feet like a duck, and a tail like a beaver. 2. Platypuses are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and are active at night. 3. They spend up to 12 hours each night hunting for food. 4. Platypuses cover their eyes, nose and ears while swimming. 5. When on land, their webbed feet retract to reveal claws that help them walk. 6. Platypuses are 20 inches long and weigh about 3 pounds. 7. Newly hatched platypuses are the size of lima beans. 8. The platypus is one of only two types of egg-laying mammals. The other is a spiny anteater called an echidna. 9. The platypus is one of only three mammals that produces venom. The others are the slow loris and European mole.

Richard Louv's book "Last Child in The Woods" is one of the books written on children in the recent era that cannot be ignored. Developmental scientists, therapists, researchers and institutions can beat around the bush so much when it comes to the state of modern children, "what ails them?" and many different offerings will be made from: technology, lack of movement, social pressures, bullying, poor diet, methods of parenting etc. These factors which ail our children are all relevant, but very few researchers or writers have brought it all together, connecting all of the moving pieces to an underlying lack of Nature. When we lack Nature connection, we become underdeveloped in nearly area of life. Treating our children with therapies, medication, team sports, tutoring or any other solution can only go so far when the connection to what makes us human (Nature) is disrupted in our lives. Richard Louv calls this disconnected state "Nature Deficit Disorder". Richard Louv in this inspirational book points directly at the deficit as the major underpinning source of so many of our modern problems - many of which we are now viewing the buds of in our children. What fruits will a society disconnected from Nature produce? The distilled solution? Connect to Nature in all ways possible. How do we do it? That's for us to find out and share what we find far and wide. Foundations like Life Rocks can assist us on the journey to connecting our children to Nature through interactive play and discovery but it is really the teachers, parents and mentors in this world that have the biggest influence on our children - so lets work together to usher in a brighter, more Nature connected future for our children! Thanks Richard Louv for tying all of this together so beautifully in this book. Highly recommended for a deeper dive into the vast importance of Nature as a fundamental nutrient in all beings lives. Life Rocks!