"CANONBALL!" shouted children from Taree and District Preschool as they ran to jump in a muddy puddle.
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"I like jumping in the puddles best," smiled Byron Boyling.
This is evidence of the fun experienced during the preschool's new weekly session 'Bush Learning'.
Director of Taree and District Preschool Kylee Ball, and colleague Alison Allan, had wanted to incorporate their environmental surroundings in classroom activities for quite some time.
"Research has shown that children are spending more time inside," Kylee explained.
"They are more reliant on technology and therefore less likely to take risks.
"If children aren't exposed to safe risk taking at a young age, they are more likely to take dangerous risks later on in life."
By taking lessons outside once a week the children are able to connect with nature.
"They are starting to learn different types of trees and even types of birds," Kylee said.
"They don't just switch off during bush session - they are actually more alert.
"We also incorporate core disciplines such as numeracy, science and literature during our sessions."
If the children get dirty, they have a spare change of clothes and warm water to rinse off.
To ensure children's safety during these sessions, the preschool employs extra staff for this day and allow only a designated safe area to play and learn in.
According to childcare worker Joanna Woolnough, 'Bush Learning' has quickly become the students and childcare workers favourite day of the week.
Evidence of emerging resilience was apparent when Mia Snelgar lost her shoe in the mud.
There were no tears.
She simply laughed, smiled for Times photographer Scott Calvin and slipped it back on.
