Climbing Tree

Flow state. That deep state of concentration where imagination takes over, time seems to disappear and creativity unfolds! ✨

We’ve been reflecting after the recent Play Summit about how we can better protect and create space for these moments of play.

Through our Playworker training we continue asking ourselves:
How do we better support play cycles, recognise play cues, and resist the urge to get so involved?
How do we ensure we aren’t meddling, but allowing play to unfold naturally? And, as a very wise, newly playwork-qualified Adelaide-based OT posed - much more eloquently (looking at you ) - what are we doing in those moments or for those children where the flow ain’t flowing or the cues ain’t cueing?

Loose parts play can be incredibly powerful, as can nature play environments. A collection of materials or a nature rich landscape can become anything a child needs it to be.

How lucky we are that we get to create the space for it.🌿






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A sweet little collab with Rossy at Deadly Way Creations for the Grange Primary School community! A beautiful gathering space for conversation, reflection, storytelling and learning.

Shout out also to Harley Hall for opening the space, sharing culture and knowledge with a special smoking ceremony.

Big thanks to the school community, we look forward to hearing what unfolds in this new space!🌿

Climbing Tree was stoked to be part of Play Australia's national summit, here in Adelaide, helping to shape a national plan for play.

Hearing Dr Naomi Lott present her research through a legal lens was insightful, exploring how the Right to Play intersects with other rights outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). (We’ve bookmarked her book “The Interdependence of the Convention on the Rights of the Child” for future reading!)

Dr Naomi Lott’s framework for implementing the right to play was a key takeaway:
* Space — both physical and mental
* Time — protected and unpressured
* Acceptance — a society that acknowledges, champions, supports & enables children’s right to play
* Rights-informed approach— embedded in law, policy and practice
And a powerful reminder: Children ARE rightholders. Adults do not ‘permit’ these rights.

We were also taken on an inspiring journey by CEO Robyn Monro Miller AM, who shared insights from her Churchill Fellowship travels through 8 different countries including UK, Canada and even as far as New Zealand. Exploring varying approaches to play strategy, policy and embedded culture, Robyn wove a compelling story of discovery, painting a hopeful picture for the future of play in Australia. We’re looking forward to reading the full report in March!

We leave these conversations with our heads spinning — and hopeful. Our Audacious Adelaide group had room for many more voices, and we hope to see even more play advocates at the next summit.

The national conversation is gaining momentum and we are here for it!

Play matters, play is everything.

Nature sets the tone. 🍃

We are saddened by the recent loss of Juliet Robertson, a passionate advocate for outdoor learning and play.

We were lucky enough to first meet Juliet in 2018 at a conference, and during this trip she also made time to visit our pop-up play space at the World Environmental Fair (seen here with our Director, Simon), as well as some of our newly constructed playgrounds.

Juliet was a voice of encouragement and generously shared her knowledge and passion. You can find much of her inspiring work through (Creative STAR Learning), and two of our favourite books, Dirty Teaching and Messy Maths.

We are sure her influence in shaping outdoor learning will continue to inspire for years to come. 🌿

Just a few days to go and the mos are in full bloom! Movember moustaches have been going strong all month for some of our crew. We’re proud of their commitment both on and off the tools! Want to show some love for their dedication to the cause (and their impressive facial foliage!)?
Donate via the link🥸🌿

Climbing tree's Mo Space Movember, the month formerly known as November, is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health.

When you’ve only just downed tools and handed the project over, come back for some photos… and it looks like another construction team has already rolled in!

Evidence of play… we love to see it! 🌿

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We love seeing our projects celebrated! 🌿

Congrats to everyone involved in bringing Glenthorne National Park – Ityamaiitpinna Yarta to life, now officially an award-winning park on the world stage!

Thanks for the feature!

Children’s Week shining a light on children’s rights. Important stats shared by on how Australia is tracking - there is much work to be done!