The YMCA of Southwestern Ontario is among 8 recipients of the Lawson Foundation's Outdoor Play Strategy 2.0 funding pool. Their project, entitled 'Embedding Outdoor Play Training: A YMCA National Early Learning and Child Care Transformation' aims to embed outdoor pedagogy across the YMCA national network and curriculum through a train-the-trainer model. The training focuses on incorporating...
Outdoor Play Canada is among 8 recipients of the Lawson Foundation's Outdoor Play Strategy 2.0 funding pool. As part of this project pool, we aim to galvanize the outdoor play movement across Canada and power it to new levels. We have the following 5 strategic priorities: Establish and operate OPC Provide leadership and strategic direction for...
The Regroupement des Centres de la Petite Enfance de la Monteregie (RCPEM) is among 8 recipients of the Lawson Foundation's Outdoor Play Strategy 2.0 funding pool. The RCPEM project, entitled 'Creating Optimal Outdoor Spaces for Infants and Toddlers in Early Learning and Child Care Centers' aims to strengthen the outdoor play-based educational practices of their early...
YMCA's National Playing to Learn curriculum was expanded upon by YMCA of Southwestern Ontario to shift the focus of the program towards self-directed and unstructured risky play for children, to support children's curiosities and interests while also building their resilience and confidence. Their curriculum is rooted in research on the association between outdoor play and...
On June 9th 2015, ParticipACTION released the 11th Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. In that report the authors identified that 'the biggest risk is keeping kids indoors' and highlighted findings from the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play on the importance of outdoor play and outdoor risky play for children's health...
Forest School Canada is the flagship educational project of the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada. They provide evidence-based, practical, and inspiring professional learning opportunities for everyone interested in supporting the healthy development of children through play and learning outside. Professional learning opportunities include the Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course as well as a number...
DASH (Dedicated Action for School Health) has created a resource to help support educators in bringing their classrooms outdoors, including an outdoor classroom checklist, tips for working with parents and school administrators, and links to other supporting information. Learn more about the DASH Outdoor Classroom here....
Nature Canada has created Nature HomeSchool, a library of outdoor learning and play resources and tools, to help educators, caregivers, guardians, community leaders, and learners learn and connect to nature. Check out the Nature HomeSchool Library here. ...
The Trottibus is a walking school bus project initiated by the Canadian Cancer Society to help elementary school children walk to school together in the morning, accompanied by parents and volunteers. The program aims to promote physical activity among children, parents, and volunteers, all while reducing car traffic around schools. Just like with a school...
Play Outdoors Magazine: Exploring Outdoor Experiences in Early Learning is devoted to bringing articles, inspiration and creative ideas to those who play a key role in shaping the first five years of a child's life. Articles are written by educators, practitioners, and researchers and include: how-to incorporate loose parts in the outdoor environment, books and...
