This hands on interactive workshop will showcase several traditional games and how they align with current curricula and how they can be a valuable resource. Children of all ages love the games and the learning and teachings are broad and dynamic.
The presenters will gather in a circle on the land. Our Elder will share circle teachings and smudging protocols. Participants will be invited to participate in a smudge. The presenters will provide a brief history of the project and provide examples of land-based practices shared with many visitors to the site such as Indigenous ways-of-knowing […]
I run a nature-based preschool located on the homelands of the Lekwungen nation. This national award-winning program founded on the partnership between children and their environments focuses on explorative play, land-based learning, stewardship and interactive education. My hands-on workshop invites early years educators to develop knowledge and skills to engage our youngest learners in environmental […]
This hands-on workshop will explore outdoor play-based learning, including the role of the educator, fostering children’s self-agency in play, the outdoor play-based learning continuum and the conceptualization of a play-based experiential learning model. Participants will be guided through hands-on experiences, small break out groups, and larger discussion to explore the content and potential of play […]
Dynamics of power and privilege created by colonialism and white supremacy culture have seen the Forest and Nature School (FNS) movement thrive to serve mostly white, settler families across Turtle Island. Together, we will unpack questions of for whom and by whom when creating forest and nature school programs, while deepening awareness around how to […]
Outdoor play and learning in the early years are essential for physical, mental and environmental health and development. However, efforts and best practices surrounding outdoor early childhood education (ECE) learning and play are rarely shared across sectors to effect sustained change. In 2023 we launched the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play, a centre of excellence […]
The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis, will engage delegates in a hybrid workshop to, first, gain a deeper understanding of the Red River Métis and their unique history in Canada. Then, showcase hands-on, cultural activities as part of the MMF’s Métis Environmental Leaders of Tomorrow (MELT), Métis Community-Based […]
Join us, Dorothy Thunder and Tiffany Smith, on the land as we share with you how we braid Indigenous and Forest School epistemologies into relationship building with ourselves, each other and the land at our land-based education program, Blossoming Flower. Workshop participants will gain hands-on experience as they participate in activities the same way our […]
In working towards rebuilding a connection with Land, let’s pay attention to some of the colonial-isms perpetuated while learning outdoors, and recalibrate through sound advice from more-than-humans, place, and Indigenous perspectives. This, of course, is in no way comprehensive! However, the session proposes hands-on activities, stories, and learnings, relating to the lost connection with Land, […]
Learn a variety of hands-on environmental games and activities that you can do outdoors with your class or group. Environmental Educators Michelle and Istafa will teach you several activities that you can use anywhere to engage students of all ages in outdoor learning in a fun and interactive way. The activities you will participate in […]