In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive: Early Education podcast, we welcome Dr. Claire Warden and tackle the thought-provoking question - "Is nature overrated?" Claire reframes the conversation by challenging how we define nature, arguing that viewing it as an external destination rather than an integral part of human existence creates an artificial divide. Drawing on Tim Ingold’s concept of "meshwork," she explains how young children naturally perceive the world through entangled, non-linear relationships with their environments. Rather than viewing natural elements as objects to be controlled or visited, children view them as entities with equivalent rights—a relational perspective deeply rooted in First Nations ways of knowing and increasingly recognised in modern environmental policy.

Translating these philosophical ideas into practical early childhood pedagogy, Claire contrasts rigid, linear planning with flexible, inquiry-led learning. She shares how strategies like her signature floorbooks allow educators to document children's divergent, unpredictable thinking while balancing regulatory frameworks. Through stories from her nature kindergarten practice, she highlights how slowing down, embracing "teachable moments," and fostering democratic daily rituals allow children to become active agents of change. The episode concludes with three key takeaways for educators: visualising learning as an entangled meshwork, using simple open-ended objects to invite child-led inquiry, and honouring children as complex, empathetic thinkers.

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