"Thank you Christina for a fabulous evening of spotlighting and for sharing your knowledge. So much to see, you have definitely inspired us to go out and enjoy our fabulous nature reserves after dark" Manda Lill, Manningham resident/parent
"Thanks Christina, the children thoroughly enjoyed the Fantastic Frogs session and it was great to have something different at the centre." Lyn Cramp, Director, Carnegie Children's Centre.
"The bug detectives program for our kindergarten was simply incredible. Christina was thoroughly engaging and her passion for nature, and supporting this passion with the children, was truly inspiring. The program was both hands-on and informative, providing the children with an opportunity to learn more about insects and other 'creepy crawlies' whilst further developing their love and care for the environment. The children returned to the kindergarten and extended on the 'bug hunt' excursion through their play, undertaking their very own 'tree shakes', using the magnifying glasses to observe and identify insects and, most importantly, demonstrating a greater respect for nature and its inhabitants." Rachael Gemmill, Early Childhood Teacher, Glover Street Kindergarten)
"What a great and valuable learning experience the bug detective excursion at Karkarook Park had been. I witnessed the children be captivated by Chrissy from Leap into Nature..... (My son) had learnt and retained so much from his amazing adventure. The children displayed amazing observation and investigation skills, intently exploring." (Kendy, mum helper on Bug Detectives session, September 2015)
Riley (aged 5) from Glover Street Kindergarten shared his thoughts to his mother about the Bug Detectives session:
“Insects have six legs. Spiders have eight. They’re all invertebrates. That means they don’t have spines. But humans have a spine. We even found bug larvae.”
“We used special bug catchers that Chrissy (Leap into Nature) gave us to look at what we found. We even used an upside down umbrella to catch insects when we shook the tree. There’s lots of ways to find nature”. “We even made our own bug from sticks, rocks, bark and grass. It even looked like an insect. It had six legs”.
”Mummy, look an ‘Anty’ Ant. I’m not going to squish it, ‘cause ants are part of nature and we have to look after nature.”
"I'm not going to go home and play X-Box straight away, I'm going to go bug hunting first" (Lachlan, 4 years old, June 2015)
“Thank you for conducting the ‘Bug Detective’ sessions with our children it was very informative and the children are certainly more aware of the environment and the animals in it.” (Josephine Dingiria, Team Leader, Bentleigh East Kindergarten, June 2015).
"We had a fantastic time, thanks Chrissy. The walk, talk and activities made a wonderful morning. Your knowledge and enthusiasm were inspirational" Roslyn and Millie, July 2015
"I thought the program was great for all the kids.... really impressed with the bird database and didn't even know that sort of stuff existed. It really stimulated her interest in nature..... loved everything, particularly the craft and learning new things.... nurtures his love of the outdoors and doesn't have those fixed rules that indoor playgroups have". Bree, Alicia, Amelie and Elijah, July 2015
"My boys loved today. It was perfect, you catered for all of them perfectly. Thank you so much for the time that you put in. It was really a fabulous session." Shellie, July 2015
“Each session, Christina chooses a wonderful location and an appropriate nature focus for the children. She is knowledgeable and passionate about the natural world and instils this enthusiasm in the children.” Emma and Grace, January 2015
“The joy and excitement on the faces of those children with the guidance from Christina is priceless. Her knowledge of the wilderness along with her own passion and love for the environment shines through.” Sally, Lily and Kate, February 2015.
“Christina has a wonderful way of helping kids and adults to have fun in nature and learn something along the way too!” Lisa and Ava, December 2014
"Thanks Christina, the children thoroughly enjoyed the Fantastic Frogs session and it was great to have something different at the centre." Lyn Cramp, Director, Carnegie Children's Centre.
"The bug detectives program for our kindergarten was simply incredible. Christina was thoroughly engaging and her passion for nature, and supporting this passion with the children, was truly inspiring. The program was both hands-on and informative, providing the children with an opportunity to learn more about insects and other 'creepy crawlies' whilst further developing their love and care for the environment. The children returned to the kindergarten and extended on the 'bug hunt' excursion through their play, undertaking their very own 'tree shakes', using the magnifying glasses to observe and identify insects and, most importantly, demonstrating a greater respect for nature and its inhabitants." Rachael Gemmill, Early Childhood Teacher, Glover Street Kindergarten)
"What a great and valuable learning experience the bug detective excursion at Karkarook Park had been. I witnessed the children be captivated by Chrissy from Leap into Nature..... (My son) had learnt and retained so much from his amazing adventure. The children displayed amazing observation and investigation skills, intently exploring." (Kendy, mum helper on Bug Detectives session, September 2015)
Riley (aged 5) from Glover Street Kindergarten shared his thoughts to his mother about the Bug Detectives session:
“Insects have six legs. Spiders have eight. They’re all invertebrates. That means they don’t have spines. But humans have a spine. We even found bug larvae.”
“We used special bug catchers that Chrissy (Leap into Nature) gave us to look at what we found. We even used an upside down umbrella to catch insects when we shook the tree. There’s lots of ways to find nature”. “We even made our own bug from sticks, rocks, bark and grass. It even looked like an insect. It had six legs”.
”Mummy, look an ‘Anty’ Ant. I’m not going to squish it, ‘cause ants are part of nature and we have to look after nature.”
"I'm not going to go home and play X-Box straight away, I'm going to go bug hunting first" (Lachlan, 4 years old, June 2015)
“Thank you for conducting the ‘Bug Detective’ sessions with our children it was very informative and the children are certainly more aware of the environment and the animals in it.” (Josephine Dingiria, Team Leader, Bentleigh East Kindergarten, June 2015).
"We had a fantastic time, thanks Chrissy. The walk, talk and activities made a wonderful morning. Your knowledge and enthusiasm were inspirational" Roslyn and Millie, July 2015
"I thought the program was great for all the kids.... really impressed with the bird database and didn't even know that sort of stuff existed. It really stimulated her interest in nature..... loved everything, particularly the craft and learning new things.... nurtures his love of the outdoors and doesn't have those fixed rules that indoor playgroups have". Bree, Alicia, Amelie and Elijah, July 2015
"My boys loved today. It was perfect, you catered for all of them perfectly. Thank you so much for the time that you put in. It was really a fabulous session." Shellie, July 2015
“Each session, Christina chooses a wonderful location and an appropriate nature focus for the children. She is knowledgeable and passionate about the natural world and instils this enthusiasm in the children.” Emma and Grace, January 2015
“The joy and excitement on the faces of those children with the guidance from Christina is priceless. Her knowledge of the wilderness along with her own passion and love for the environment shines through.” Sally, Lily and Kate, February 2015.
“Christina has a wonderful way of helping kids and adults to have fun in nature and learn something along the way too!” Lisa and Ava, December 2014