Hello World!

Kia Ora, my name is Helen Upson, and I’ve been an early childhood educator for over 20 years.

Throughout my journey, I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors—whether it’s the garden, a local park, or our beautiful native bush. These days, I find myself organising our forest programme in Mangaiti Gully, Hamilton. Over the years, I’ve worked in many centres and supported thousands of tamariki. While teaching practices and environments continue to evolve, one thing stays the same: tamariki are endlessly creative, no matter where they are. But here’s the challenge—today’s world is fast-paced. Our tamariki are busy. They live in busy homes, attend busy centres, and are surrounded by busy environments. With all this hustle and bustle, how do we give them the space and time to notice beauty, to be curious, and to create? That’s where nature comes in. When we slow down, step outside, and bring simple tools into the natural world, something magical happens. Tamariki begin to notice textures, shapes, and colours in new ways. They become artists, scientists, and storytellers all at once. My goal with this blog is to share ideas, activities, and inspiration that you can take back to your own centres, local parks, or forest programmes. Whether you’re just starting out or already have an outdoor learning routine, I hope to provide fresh ideas that spark joy and creativity in your tamariki. Let’s explore the power of simple tools in natural places—and rediscover the beauty of slow, creative learning.