In this workshop, we describe research that was designed to capture the experiences of educators and students who were learning outdoors during the pandemic to identify opportunities to implement successful practices more broadly. The study involved three stages: 1) interviews with educators and students, 2) collection of geographical data of school contexts and 3) an […]
This workshop will support teacher leaders who are interested in facilitating professional learning around outdoor play and learning using the Teacher.Outsideplay.org tool. The framework for this tool was developed by experienced teachers across the province of British Columbia and exemplars of what outdoor play and learning looks like in elementary schools were submitted by teachers […]
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 […]
With the intention of listening to the land and learning about self, this workshop weaves together literacy, drama, multiple learning styles, ecological awareness, art, mapping, and movement, thus enhancing overall well-being. Slowing pedagogy down, we foster a deep kinship with each other and with the land, awakening an awareness of the world in which we […]
Nature-based physical activity can offer an accessible and alternative teaching strategy to enable educators in K-12 schools to teach children and youth outside on a regular basis. Nature-based physical activity is defined as physical activities that are done in natural spaces, require little specialized equipment, can be participated in by most youth, are cost-efficient, have […]
Breaking free of the walls which confine us can lead us in to nature, a space where we can heal, learn, and reconnect with ourselves and each other. The National Healing Forest Initiative founded by Patricia Stirbys, a Cowessess First Nation Lawyer, and Peter Croal, a Geological Consultant, after the findings of the 2015 Truth […]
Four different types of outdoor play will be presented in this workshop: imaginative play, risky play, intentional play, and free play. Participants have the opportunity to ‘play,’ explore, and discuss each type of play themselves as they imagine how their students might engage with the provocations presented. (Primary/Elementary)
Hoping to integrate nature and place-based learning into the curriculum meaningfully? Still trying to figure out where to start? In this workshop, Hillary will discuss her experiences developing place-based curricula in urban and non-urban settings highlighting the need to pivot based on what is accessible to educators and their students. Participants will also learn core […]