Revealed: How new business set to help region’s children, environment

The proud Indigenous woman said her new venture will support families and young children through natural resources and outdoor learning.

Tiffany Gesler and Clara Jensen. Tiffany is an indigenous woman with a new business educating young children about Aboriginal history and connecting them with nature and the land. Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Proud of her Indigenous heritage, one mum and professional educator is offering a unique and holistic education model which focuses on outdoor play and her Indigenous heritage.

Tiffany Gesler, 35, has been working with children since she was just 17-years-old.

Now, the qualified midwife and early education specialist is going out on her own two feet.

Tiffany Gesler and Clara Jensen. Tiffany is an indigenous woman with a new business educating young children about Aboriginal history and connecting them with nature and the land. Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The proud Gunggari woman started has started her new business Sow and Nurtured – a venture to support families with natural resources and outdoor learning.

“I was employed as an outdoor educator in day care centres, kindys and schools to create outdoor spaces six or seven years ago, when no one would really talk about the importance of outdoor and natural play and back then everything was made of plastic,” Ms Gesler said.

“That really lit me up to keep going and now while I’m homeschooling my son, I’ve decided to go out on my own and offer these services.”

Tiffany Gesler and her son Tanner Morris 9yo. Tiffany is an indigenous woman with a new business educating young children about Aboriginal history and connecting them with nature and the land. Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The Toowoomba mother-of-two offers a variety of workshops with an holistic learning approach to assist families and children who may be experiencing anxiety or behavioural issues.

Ms Gesler said the workshops would also suit parents who homeschool or want to introduce outdoor education but don’t know where to start.

While the educator said she was open to working with all ages, the programs were mostly tailored to babies, toddlers and students in the early years of primary school.

Tiffany Gesler and Clara Jensen. Tiffany is an indigenous woman with a new business educating young children about Aboriginal history and connecting them with nature and the land. Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“As well as the home visits, I do the Bush Bubs program to support parents early on and provide babies with the tools required to connect with nature.

“With everything happening with Covid-19, I saw more kids getting anxious and I found the solution to that was always going outside and that served as a time to soften, relax and connect children to where they actually thrive.

“Even though (Queensland) weren’t as impacted by Covid-19 as down south, we’re always working, using our phones or watching T.V, which means we have no time to spend outside.”

Beck Jensen 5yo and Tiffany Gesler. Tiffany is an indigenous woman with a new business educating young children about Aboriginal history and connecting them with nature and the land. Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The proud Indigenous woman said it was important to her to not only educate young people about the culture of Indigenous Australians but to also treat the land with respect.

“We didn’t get taught too much about the truth in schools, but if you’re teaching children about Aboriginal history and the connection to the land early on and in an age-appropriate way, it means they will have that awareness and connection to country,” Ms Gesler said.

“If they have those memories of being outside and being with nature, they’re going to grow up and want to care for the environment, which supports children as well as the land.

“Even if you aren’t Aboriginal, the land supports our mind and body.”

For more information, visit Sow and Nurtured on Facebook.