Myself as a Nature Based Early Learning Advocate

“The greatest thing you can do for a child is teach them to love learning, and teach them to love the world” ~Myself Over the last 13 weeks, I have expanded my knowledge about nature based learning.  I have dedicated my time over the last 13 weeks to reading research articles about the benefits of…

Nature-Based Learning Philosophy Statement

“My philosophy is: if you can’t have fun, there’s no sense in doing it” ~Paul Walker View of the Child I believe in the perspective of Loris Malaguzzi that every child is competent, capable, curious and rich in potential.  I value the role of nature-based learning to encourage competence, capability, and curiosity.  I believe nature-based…

Risky Play and Mental Health

“Being well played, while seeming frivolous, is in fact quite vital to a happy and healthy physical, emotional, and mental state” ~Meredith Sinclair Risky play is a thrilling and exciting experience that also involves some type of a risk of injury.  Many educators are uncomfortable with forms of risky play, including rough and tumble play,…

Being a Play Worker

The profession of playwork, does not remove the role of the adult in children’s play, rather it changes it, and for the better ~ Brian Sutton-Smith Playworkers are advocates for play in the UK.  Many north american educators would also consider themselves play advocates.  Playworkers differ from child care workers because they indirectly enhance play. …

Place-Based Learning

“I like to sit in my backyard. I go out and  sit in silence and meditate. Nature is calming and I like to go out there and clear my head” ~Devon Werkheiser Place-based learning is an important pedagogical practice educators may consciously and unconsciously consider.  Place-based learning is present in the importance of our learning…

Looking Closely in Nature

“Look deep into nature and then you will discover everything better” ~Albert Einstein When we spend time in nature, how often do we look closely at our surroundings?  How often are we analyzing what we see? How often do we pick up a leaf and observe it?  Do we think about where it comes from?…

Do Ontario Legislation and Curriculum Documents Provide Adequate Information About Outdoor Play?

“Each child who receives child care for six hours or more in a day spends time outdoors for at least two hours each day, weather permitting, unless a physician or parent of the child advises otherwise in writing” (Ministry of Education, 2014, 47(1)(c)). Despite the overwhelming amount of research that recommends outdoor play to support…

Supporting 21st Century Competencies with Nature-Based Learning

“COMPETENCE BRINGS CONFIDENCE” ~Unknown Children and students today grow up in a different world than their parents and educators did.  Now, there is an increasing demand for children to acquire skills in their young years that are different than traditional competencies that were required in the past.  Globalization, technology, and societal influences require today’s children…

The Benefits of Outdoor Play on Development

“Children learn as they play.  Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn”  ~O. Fred Donaldson It is widely known that outdoor play is beneficial to children’s development, but what exactly does outdoor and nature-play support?  What are the reasons to plan for outdoor learning experiences such as nature walks, sit spots, and Forest…

Nature-Based Learning Advocacy Declaration

It is my duty as an Early Childhood Educator to advocate for quality child care and best practice.  Part of my philosophy as an Early Childhood Educator is the strong belief in the need for access to nature and nature-based curriculum to support children’s healthy growth and development. As an Early Childhood Educator, I vow…