Spending time in nature is so good for our physical and mental well-being. Get your pre-school children outside and join us at the EcoHub to listen to stories about nature and explore one of our fabulous reserves. (Suited to children aged ~2-4 years who are able to sit and listen to two stories.)

Wednesdays are always story days! During term, Tales & Trails and Storytime with Alton take turns each week.

Please wear enclosed shoes, a hat and/or other weather appropriate clothing. If the weather is too hot/wet, we will provide alternative activities inside the centre (eg. music and movement, looking at artefacts (seed pods, feathers, leaves etc), colouring in sheets). If there is light rain, we will still go out, so make sure to wear a raincoat!

Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times. Every person who will be attending will need to be registered, including babies. Register for one or all dates.

Tales and Trails is part of our ongoing toddler program at EcoHub, including; Buds & Blooms Nature Play Group, Storytime with Alton, and Freeplay.

Story and activity themes:

• 29 April: Noticing nature
• 13 May: Compost
• 27 May: Turtles
• 10 June: Trees
• 24 June: Insects

What to expect:

Length
This event goes for one hour.

Start time
While this event is quite informal, if you do not arrive within the first 15 minutes the group may already have left for the walk.

Location
Ngoolark Space – Outside in the amphitheatre or inside if hot/wet. Also outside on trails in Piney Lakes Reserve.

Requirements
Sessions will run in all weather so we recommend bringing a change of clothes, wet weather gear, hats and sunscreen. Please bring your own drink bottle and your own morning tea. Note that shelter from the rain is available and alternative indoor free play will be offerred if we are unable to do a walk.

Type of event and expectations
Early learning environment: Children should be able to sit calmly when asked and follow all instructions of the program facilitator. Parents and caregivers are responsible for the health and safety of their children at all times and must ensure the behaviour of a child in their care is not negatively impacting the experience of others. Quiet spaces will be available at this event.

Some safety requirements:
As we will be going out into a natural area please make sure you and the children with you follow the rules below:

• Feet on paths – We have a disease in the reserve called dieback that kills plants and that can spread on shoes.
• Gentle hands – Exploring textures of leaves and bark is interesting, however please encourage your kids to have gentle hands and not damage plants or other parts of the environment.
• Empty pockets – Collecting can be fun, however we encourage leaving what we find as homes for insects and lizards, food for fungi and trees and to stop the spread of disease. This includes picking flowers which make seeds to grow new plants and provide food for different animals.
• Eyes and ears alert – There are lizards, birds, frogs and snakes as well as lakes, low hanging branches, trip hazards in this reserve. Please keep your child close, and stay alert as you walk.

Accessibility

A short walk will include some uneven ground not suitable for all types of walking aids. This event includes sitting on mats or amphitheatre steps (please note that chairs are available), movement, and short walks in the reserve.

Accessible parking is available at front of EcoHub, rooms are located on multiple levels via a ramp and toilets are available within the venue. For specific access requirements please feel free to call or email EcoHub at (08)9364 0191 or [email protected]