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Raising Wildlings — Kids & Family
Raising Wildlings

Welcome to Raising Wildlings, a podcast about parenting, alternative education and stepping into the wilderness, however that looks, with your family. Each week, we’ll be interviewing experts that truly inspire us, to answer your parenting and education questions. We’ll also be sharing stories from some incredible families that took the leap, and are taking the road less travelled. Whether you’re a parent looking for tips on how to better handle those sibling squabbles and tantrums, a couple searching for ways to create more freedom within your family’s lifestyle, an educator keen to explore alternative schooling models and how children learn, a father keen to delve into respectful parenting philosophies, or a mother wanting to learn more about why play is so important and how to get children outdoors safely, then this is the podcast for you. Each week you’ll get tried and tested tactics from parenting, play and education experts to help you on your journey towards creating the happiest, healthiest lifestyle you can for your family. We’ll also chat to real life families who have created freedom within their lives and are living life on their own terms. They’ll teach you how they did it and how you can too. And of course, you’ll hear from us about all things nature play and alternative education. We’ll answer all your questions on how children learn, the importance of play in all its forms, children’s rights and autonomy, and how to get your children outside safely, more often. This podcast hopes to empower parents and educators to raise kinder, more resilient, more adaptable children by helping them maintain happy connections and healthy lifestyles. So, what are you waiting for?! Let’s dive in! Hit subscribe now to be notified when new episodes go live. To download our free Respectful Language Printable Cheat Sheet, head to: www.wildlingsforestschool.com/shop/respectful-language

Copyright: © 2023 Raising Wildlings

Latest Episodes:

The Art of Growing Up with John Marsden Part 1 Jul 06, 2020

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In this episode (part one of two), we talk to author and principal, John Marsden, about his schools, Candlebark School and Alice Miller School and how they are different to traditional schools. We talk about Candlebark’s fabulous school motto: ‘Take risks’ and how first-hand experiences are the essence of the schools educational philosophies.

John tells us three things he would change about the traditional education system and what to look for when you’re searching for a school for your children.

👉 Our Discussion

● Candlebark School and Alice Miller School

● How Candlebark and Alice Miller School are different to traditional schools.

● Candlebark’s fabulous school motto: ‘Take risks’

● How first-hand experiences form the essence of education at the schools.

● The three things John would change about the traditional education system

● What to look for in a school

👉 Freebie

Don’t forget to download your ‘’what to say’’ guide so that we can encourage problem solving and personal risk assessment in our children instead of our usual go to response of “Be careful”. To download the Risky Play cheat sheet, simply head to www.wildlingsforestschool.com/free-downloadables

👉 Guest Details

John has written more than 40 books, including Tomorrow When the War Began, So Much to Tell You, and his most recent work, The Art of Growing up. He has sold over five million books worldwide, and has won every major award in Australia for young people's fiction. John's passionate interest in education led him to start two schools, Candlebark and Alice Miller, on forested properties in the Macedon Ranges, Victoria. The two schools enrol 390 students in 2020.

👉 John Marsden’s Details

http://johnmarsden.com/

https://www.candlebark.info/

👉 Links and Resources

Sponsor - Fun Fables Podcast

👉 Did You Enjoy This Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode and the Raising Wildlings podcast generally, we have a favour. Please take two minutes to subscribe, and to write a rating and a review. You can do that on Apple Podcasts right now by clicking here. If you are an Android user, you can follow the podcast on Spotify here and Google Podcasts here. Those actions will help the podcast reach more people, and we would be truly grateful. Thank you so much.

Welcome back to Raising Wildlings — where we explore raising brave, resilient, curious kids who feel at home outdoors.

If you're an educator ready to bring more nature play and child-led learning into your Early Years program, our Bush Kindy Professional Development Workshops are for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, risk-benefit strategies, and the confidence to take learning outside in a way that's safe, meaningful, and genuinely exciting for

You know this podcast is just a small part of what we do at Wildlings Forest School. So if you want to find out more about our range of programs for children, our professional development workshops for educators, our free downloadables, blogs or our online store, just head to wildlingsforestschool.com. It's all there waiting for you. Come and join the village.

Risky Play and What to Say Instead of 'Be Careful'! Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

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Has your child ever done something that has made you gasp and want to cover your eyes? Early climbers climbing out of their high chair, children scaling trees so high you can barely spot them or swimming beyond their depth, or teens wrestling like they’re in a WWF match? Good! We hope you may find some relief in the fact that your child is doing EXACTLY what they are designed to do! Take risks! And that is exactly what we’re going to be talking about - Risky Play. What it is, the 6 types of risky play, why children seek out risk, why it’s important and how to incorporate it into your outdoor play.
👉 Our Discussion

What is risky play?
Benefits of Risky Play
The 6 Types of Risky Play

Play at heights
Play at high speed
Play with dangerous tools
Play with dangerous elements – fire, water, animals
Rough and tumble
Play in secret spaces

What is the purpose of risky play?
Risk is not necessarily a danger to be avoided but rather a skill that needs to be managed.
How can help your child manage risky play?
What can you say instead of ’Be Careful!’
In a nutshell, we want our children to be as safe as necessary not a safe as possible.

‘A ship is safe in the harbour - but that is not what ships are built for…’

👉 Freebie
To download the Risky Play cheat sheet, simply click here.

👉 Links and Resources

E1. Freedom to Learn with Peter Gray
Categories of Risky Play by Ellen Sandseter, 2007

👉 Guest Details

Vicci Oliver and Nicki Farrell are adventurous nature play makers, risk-takers, children’s rights advocates and the co-founders of Wildlings Forest School. We are the hosts of the ‘Raising Wildlings’ podcast and we put the dirt back in childhood.

During any Wildlings Forest School program, you are likely to find Wildlings up trees, sliding down mud slides, whittling with pocket knives, lighting fires and building rafts. We let kids, be kids - because children can’t learn to protect nature if they’ve never had a childhood in it.

👉 Wildlings Forest School Contact Details

👉 Did You Enjoy This Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode and the Raising Wildlings podcast generally, we have a favour. Please take two minutes to subscribe, and to write a rating and a review. You can do that on Apple Podcasts right now by clicking here. If you are an Android user, you can follow the podcast on Spotify here and Google Podcasts here. Those actions will help the podcast reach more people, and we would be truly grateful. Thank you so much.

Welcome back to Raising Wildlings — where we explore raising brave, resilient, curious kids who feel at home outdoors.

If you're an educator ready to bring more nature play and child-led learning into your Early Years program, our Bush Kindy Professional Development Workshops are for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, risk-benefit strategies, and the confidence to take learning outside in a way that's safe, meaningful, and genuinely exciting for

You know this podcast is just a small part of what we do at Wildlings Forest School. So if you want to find out more about our range of programs for children, our professional development workshops for educators, our free downloadables, blogs or our online store, just head to wildlingsforestschool.com. It's all there waiting for you. Come and join the village.

There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather with Linda McGurk Jun 22, 2020

Show notes

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👉 Our Discussion

- The benefits of outdoor play, particularly during a pandemic, when so many children are still having to practise social distancing.

- How to create a habit of daily outdoor play with your family

- The role of outdoor play for family culture and community.

👉 Freebie

If you’d like a little inspiration to get your family outside, click HERE , to get our FREE Wildschooling printable with all the gear we keep in our car so that our families are always ready for adventure.

👉 Links and Resources

- Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv

- The Nature Fix, by Florence Williams

- The Nature Connection Pyramid Printable

- Good Bacteria in Dirt article

- Busting the Cold causes Colds Myth article

- 👉 About Linda

Linda Åkeson McGurk is a Swedish American journalist, blogger and author of There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather. She believes that the best childhood memories are created outside and started the blog Rain or Shine Mamma to inspire other parents and caregivers to get outside with their children every day, regardless of the weather.

👉 Linda’s Contact Details

- www.linkedin.com/in/lindamcgurk

- https://twitter.com/rainshinemamma

- https://www.facebook.com/rainorshinemamma/

- https://www.instagram.com/rainorshinemamma/

- https://www.pinterest.com/rainshinemamma/

- http://lindamcgurk.com/publicity/

👉 Listen Here

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Google Podcasts

👉 Did You Enjoy This Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode and the Raising Wildlings podcast generally, we have a favour. Please take two minutes to subscribe, and to write a rating and a review. You can do that on Apple Podcasts right now by clicking here. If you are an Android user, you can follow the podcast on Spotify here and Google Podcasts here. Those actions will help the podcast reach more people, and we would be truly grateful. Thank you so much.

Welcome back to Raising Wildlings — where we explore raising brave, resilient, curious kids who feel at home outdoors.

If you're an educator ready to bring more nature play and child-led learning into your Early Years program, our Bush Kindy Professional Development Workshops are for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, risk-benefit strategies, and the confidence to take learning outside in a way that's safe, meaningful, and genuinely exciting for

You know this podcast is just a small part of what we do at Wildlings Forest School. So if you want to find out more about our range of programs for children, our professional development workshops for educators, our free downloadables, blogs or our online store, just head to wildlingsforestschool.com. It's all there waiting for you. Come and join the village.

Wildschooling Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

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In this episode we talk about Wildschooling. What it is, what is not, how to incorporate Wildschooling around traditional schooling and how we incorporate Wildschooling into our own children’s lives.
Vicci Oliver and Nicki Farrell are adventurous nature play makers, risk-takers, children’s rights advocates and the co-founders of Wildlings Forest School. We are the hosts of the ‘Raising Wildlings’ podcast and we put the dirt back in childhood.

Wildlings aims to get more children outdoors connecting with nature, creating the village parents are yearning for and inspiring change in the education system.

During any Wildlings Forest School program, you are likely to find Wildlings up trees, sliding down mud slides, whittling with pocket knives, lighting fires and building rafts. We let kids, be kids - because children can’t learn to protect nature if they’ve never had a childhood in it.

Welcome back to Raising Wildlings — where we explore raising brave, resilient, curious kids who feel at home outdoors.

If you're an educator ready to bring more nature play and child-led learning into your Early Years program, our Bush Kindy Professional Development Workshops are for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, risk-benefit strategies, and the confidence to take learning outside in a way that's safe, meaningful, and genuinely exciting for

You know this podcast is just a small part of what we do at Wildlings Forest School. So if you want to find out more about our range of programs for children, our professional development workshops for educators, our free downloadables, blogs or our online store, just head to wildlingsforestschool.com. It's all there waiting for you. Come and join the village.

The Parenting Disconnect, Smacking and Authoritarianism with Robin Grille Jun 10, 2020

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In this BONUS episode (part two of two), we continue our chat with psychologist, parent educator and author of Inner Child Journeys, Robin Grille. We cover the parenting disconnect, smacking and the origins of our authoritarian education and parenting culture. Be prepared to perhaps feel uncomfortable and/or challenged and remember that Robin's work focuses on how when we are triggered by these feelings - we can use these moments as opportunities for personal growth.
Our discussion:

How we can begin to move away from smacking as a culture by exploring our triggers (AKA our body's memories from when we were children ourselves)
We discuss the collective wound of all civilisation - that we are tamers
How we have moved from belonging to nature, to seeing ourselves as tamers of nature
How we can move towards a more democratic (rather than authoritarian) education system

Guest Details

Robin Grille is an international speaker, psychologist and parenting educator. Robin is the author of three books: ‘Parenting for a Peaceful World’, ‘Heart to Heart Parenting’ and his newest title: ‘Inner Child Journeys’.

Drawing from 30 years’ experience and leading-edge neuropsychological research, Robin’s seminars and courses focus on healthy emotional development for children as well as parents; while building supportive, co-operative parenting communities.

You can find Robin Here:

www.robingrille.com
Instagram @robingrille
Facebook @robingrille

And his work here:

Free Downloadable

And if you’d like a little help changing the language you use in your family to help de-escalate conflict, click here to get our FREE Words of Empathy and Validation printable to stick on your fridge for those rough moments.

Wildlings Forest School Links:

If you enjoyed this episode and the Raising Wildlings podcast generally, we have a favour. Please take two minutes to subscribe, and to write a rating and a review. You can do that on Apple Podcasts right now by clicking here. If you are an Android user, you can follow the podcast on Spotify here and Google Podcasts here. Those actions will help the podcast reach more people, and we would be truly grateful. Thank you so much.

Welcome back to Raising Wildlings — where we explore raising brave, resilient, curious kids who feel at home outdoors.

If you're an educator ready to bring more nature play and child-led learning into your Early Years program, our Bush Kindy Professional Development Workshops are for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, risk-benefit strategies, and the confidence to take learning outside in a way that's safe, meaningful, and genuinely exciting for

You know this podcast is just a small part of what we do at Wildlings Forest School. So if you want to find out more about our range of programs for children, our professional development workshops for educators, our free downloadables, blogs or our online store, just head to wildlingsforestschool.com. It's all there waiting for you. Come and join the village.

Exploring Your Inner Child with Robin Grille Jun 08, 2020

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In this episode (part one of two), we chat with psychologist, parent educator and author of Inner Child Journeys, Robin Grille, about how the best way to understand our children, is to first understand ourselves. Think of this episode as your gentle reminder that parenting is a personal growth journey!

Our discussion:

What to do when we have a conflict with our children, or feel stuck as parents
What it means when we are triggered by our children
How our inner child holds the greatest trove of intuitive insight for us to use on the parenting journey.

Guest Details

Robin Grille is an international speaker, psychologist and parenting educator. Robin is the author of three books: ‘Parenting for a Peaceful World’, ‘Heart to Heart Parenting’ and his newest title: ‘Inner Child Journeys’.

Drawing from 30 years’ experience and leading-edge neuropsychological research, Robin’s seminars and courses focus on healthy emotional development for children as well as parents; while building supportive, co-operative parenting communities.

You can find Robin Here:

www.robingrille.com
Instagram @robingrille
Facebook @robingrille

And his work here:

Free Downloadable

And if you’d like a little help changing the language you use in your family to help de-escalate conflict, click here to get our FREE Words of Empathy and Validation printable to stick on your fridge for those rough moments.

Wildlings Forest School Links:

If you enjoyed this episode and the Raising Wildlings podcast generally, we have a favour. Please take two minutes to subscribe, and to write a rating and a review. You can do that on Apple Podcasts right now by clicking here. If you are an Android user, you can follow the podcast on Spotify here and Google Podcasts here. Those actions will help the podcast reach more people, and we would be truly grateful. Thank you so much.

Welcome back to Raising Wildlings — where we explore raising brave, resilient, curious kids who feel at home outdoors.

If you're an educator ready to bring more nature play and child-led learning into your Early Years program, our Bush Kindy Professional Development Workshops are for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, risk-benefit strategies, and the confidence to take learning outside in a way that's safe, meaningful, and genuinely exciting for

You know this podcast is just a small part of what we do at Wildlings Forest School. So if you want to find out more about our range of programs for children, our professional development workshops for educators, our free downloadables, blogs or our online store, just head to wildlingsforestschool.com. It's all there waiting for you. Come and join the village.

Respectful Communication Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

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In this episode we are going to discuss our road to finding peaceful, gentle approaches to raising our children. We share with you why we wholeheartedly value working in cooperation with our own children and also the children we care for in our nature play programs.
The four ideas of respectful communication:

1. Children and parents have the opportunity to be heard and understood

2. Children have the freedom to feel their emotions

3. Stating our expectations clearly and with purpose ie we need to re-examine our expectations and reflect on these continually to ensure that they are fair and developmentally appropriate

4. Empowering children to solve their own problems by helping them to develop language to communicate their needs and feelings

Welcome back to Raising Wildlings — where we explore raising brave, resilient, curious kids who feel at home outdoors.

If you're an educator ready to bring more nature play and child-led learning into your Early Years program, our Bush Kindy Professional Development Workshops are for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, risk-benefit strategies, and the confidence to take learning outside in a way that's safe, meaningful, and genuinely exciting for

You know this podcast is just a small part of what we do at Wildlings Forest School. So if you want to find out more about our range of programs for children, our professional development workshops for educators, our free downloadables, blogs or our online store, just head to wildlingsforestschool.com. It's all there waiting for you. Come and join the village.

School readiness, falling behind and homework with Dr Justin Coulsen May 25, 2020

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In this episode, we are talking about school readiness and the academic pushdown. We ask about the importance of homework and the value of play, and talk about new perspectives on the role of sibling rivalry.

Wondering when your child is ready for school? In this episode, we answer that question.

Dr Justin Coulson is one of Australia's most respected and popular parenting authors and speakers. He is sought after for his expertise in family life, relationships, and wellbeing and resilience; and he is the founder of 'Happy Families'. Dr Coulson has written 5 books, and is a three-time bestselling author. He is also a husband and a father to 6 daughters.

Welcome back to Raising Wildlings — where we explore raising brave, resilient, curious kids who feel at home outdoors.

If you're an educator ready to bring more nature play and child-led learning into your Early Years program, our Bush Kindy Professional Development Workshops are for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, risk-benefit strategies, and the confidence to take learning outside in a way that's safe, meaningful, and genuinely exciting for

You know this podcast is just a small part of what we do at Wildlings Forest School. So if you want to find out more about our range of programs for children, our professional development workshops for educators, our free downloadables, blogs or our online store, just head to wildlingsforestschool.com. It's all there waiting for you. Come and join the village.

Part One - Helping Children Regulate their Emotions with Dr. Justin Coulson May 18, 2020

Show notes

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In this episode, we’re talking about big emotions. How do we help our children regulate their emotions in this transition back to school? We discuss some very simple and tangible strategies that you can use today to help find connection with your child and to validate their feelings.
Download our FREE Words of Validation & Empathy Printable here.
To access the full show notes click here.
Follow and DM Wildlings Forest School on Instagram here.

Welcome back to Raising Wildlings — where we explore raising brave, resilient, curious kids who feel at home outdoors.

If you're an educator ready to bring more nature play and child-led learning into your Early Years program, our Bush Kindy Professional Development Workshops are for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, risk-benefit strategies, and the confidence to take learning outside in a way that's safe, meaningful, and genuinely exciting for

You know this podcast is just a small part of what we do at Wildlings Forest School. So if you want to find out more about our range of programs for children, our professional development workshops for educators, our free downloadables, blogs or our online store, just head to wildlingsforestschool.com. It's all there waiting for you. Come and join the village.

Freedom to Learn with Peter Gray May 18, 2020

Show notes

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In this episode, we’re talking with Psychologist, Peter Gray, about the importance of play and how we need to stop dismissing play as trivial; we’re talking about how to create environments where children learn best and we break down some of the misconceptions around self-directed learning, in particular university entry and future success.
We also cover:

The decline of children's freedom over recent decades and the psychological consequences of that decline.
How children are biologically designed to take control of their own education, and the environmental conditions that best facilitate their ability to educate themselves.
Research evidence that Self-Directed Education works.

Don't forget to download your FREE Words of Validation & Empathy printable here to stick on your fridge!
To access the full show notes click here.
Follow and DM Wildlings Forest School on Instagram here.
Did you enjoy this episode?
If you enjoyed this episode and the Raising Wildlings podcast generally, we have a favour. Please take two minutes to subscribe, and to write a rating and a review. You can do that on Apple Podcasts right now by clicking here. If you are an Android user, you can follow the podcast on Spotify here and Google Podcasts here. Those actions will help the podcast reach more people, and we would be truly grateful. Thank you so much!

Welcome back to Raising Wildlings — where we explore raising brave, resilient, curious kids who feel at home outdoors.

If you're an educator ready to bring more nature play and child-led learning into your Early Years program, our Bush Kindy Professional Development Workshops are for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, risk-benefit strategies, and the confidence to take learning outside in a way that's safe, meaningful, and genuinely exciting for

You know this podcast is just a small part of what we do at Wildlings Forest School. So if you want to find out more about our range of programs for children, our professional development workshops for educators, our free downloadables, blogs or our online store, just head to wildlingsforestschool.com. It's all there waiting for you. Come and join the village.

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