This we know. Kids yearn to move and they have an active imagination. Why not capitalize on this by integrating dramatic movement to enhance a child’s understanding of the natural world? We’ll make a working tree using our bodies, we’ll learn to authentically stalk like foxes, we’ll fly like geese and learn what they can […]
In this session, early childhood educators and professionals (post-secondary instructors, advocates, researchers) will gather to discuss pedagogical documentation in the context of nature-based programs. How can the experiences of children and the more-than-human both be represented in documentation? In this facilitated discussion, participants will be invited to share their current practices of documentation with the […]
Books can be an important vehicle for supporting a sense of belonging and well-being within a learning community. They can offer important invitations to discover, learn about, and discuss diverse perspectives. Have you thought critically about the books that you are bringing into your work with children? Who is represented within the books available in […]
Reconnecting with the natural world is just as important for adults as it is for children. This workshop is dedicated to promoting the power of play within us, the adults, who will lead by example to inspire future generations to cherish and enjoy the wonders of nature and the outdoors. Through reconnecting with our personal […]
Childcare programs delivered outdoors can provide an opportunity to reintroduce, reinforce and supplement outdoor play during early childhood. In addition, outdoor childcare programs may positively affect practitioner wellbeing, professional engagement and the quality of education being delivered. However, there remains a gap in the literature regarding the health and developmental impacts of nature-based childcare programs […]
Join us for an inspiring and informative workshop where we will explore the transformative power of outdoor education in promoting inclusion and accessibility for all students. In this workshop, we will delve into the realm of limitless possibilities that nature provides, regardless of physical abilities. Through engaging activities and captivating storytelling, we will highlight personal […]
Time to get off your bums, because motion is lotion for the body. Come learn a series of First Nations games from around Canada that can be used in the classroom on a rainy day or preferably outside. Using the experimental model that the wilderness speaks for itself. The games will show the environmental connection […]
This workshop will lead participants through an interactive exploration into how using Indigenous ways of knowing and learning techniques in place-based outdoor education can be a springboard for exploring and creating written texts. A recipient of a McDowell Foundation Educational Research Grant, this session presents hands-on, evidence-based practices for educators that are based on: (1) […]
Discover the transformative power of Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed seeing in Early Childhood Education (ECE) in our immersive workshop. Participants will embark on a journey to cultivate ethical space on the land while weaving together Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews. Through engaging land-based play experiences, participants will explore the interconnected web of knowledge and learn to braid the gift […]
In this workshop we will discuss an important first step towards supporting outdoor/risky play: our own state of emotional regulation. Looking at our unique perspectives on what we deem to be risky through the lens of our lived experience and beliefs, we can find ways we can expand our comfort zone and engage with the […]