Episode 121: Developing the 7 Senses Through Outdoor Play with Jena-Ponti-Jauchius

Imperfect Heroes: Insights Into Parenting

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In this podcast episode, Jena Ponti Jauchius, a landscape architect and nature play expert, joins DJ to discuss her approach to designing children's outdoor play and learning environments. Listen in as Jena talks about the importance of sensory-rich natural play and learning experiences to help them connect with nature and themselves. And stay tuned as Jena explains the seven sensory systems that go beyond the classic five senses and how they can be stimulated through outdoor play, engaging in water play, and evolving the play space as children's needs and interests change.
Jena Ponti Jauchius is an internationally-recognized landscape architect and nature play expert with over two decades designing nature-based play, learning, and therapeutic environments for children of all abilities and (neuro)diversities. She also teaches early childhood professionals, educators, and parents how to create sensory-rich natural play and learning spaces to grow their children's minds, bodies, and spirits.
TIMESTAMPS
• [7:30] DJ & Jena discuss how the senses are essential for children to navigate their environments and thrive, with activities like swinging, crawling, and running stimulating the vestibular system and helping develop good body confidence.
• [10:59] DJ & Jena advise starting with what children love to do indoors and translating it to an outdoor setting, to make the experience suitable for their nervous system.
• [19:04] Jena shares the importance of taking risks in childhood for mental, emotional, social, and physical growth.
• [30:36] Jena suggests tailoring the sensory experience to individual children's needs, including those with neurodiversity.
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Jena-Ponti-Jauchius -
Website: https://www.nisfornatureplay.com
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