The Mixed Research Unit (UMR) Petite enfance, grandeur nature is a structural and multidisciplinary entity that supports and guides research projects on nature-based education, whether they originate from the needs of educational settings, researchers, decision-makers, or other community stakeholders. Learn more here....
This project led by UMR Petite enfance, grandeur nature, aimed to disseminate the results of the work carried out as part of the research project ‘Alex – Nature-Based Education: An Innovative Approach to Supporting the Educational Success of Young Children’, in collaboration with the Association québécoise des CPE (AQCPE). The dissemination was completed through three...
Elements Society is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring environmental action through education. By employing an interdisciplinary, systems-thinking approach, the organization highlights the interconnectedness of the natural world and our role within it. The Elements Society website offers a rich collection of resources—including lesson plans, professional development opportunities, and impact reports—designed to promote sustainability...
The Lawson Foundation’s Outdoor Play Strategy 2.0 (OPS 2.0) was a pan-Canadian initiative focused on building adult capacity to support outdoor play in early childhood education (ECE). This resource translates the evidence and learning from OPS 2.0 into a practical resource that ECE leaders—such as faculty, directors, and pedagogical leaders— can use on their journey...
The World Playground Research Institute has created a comprehensive article database, offering access to peer-reviewed articles and evidence-based studies on playground design, play environments, and their impact on child development. Curated by industry experts, the database supports educators, researchers, policymakers, and designers in promoting high-quality, inclusive, and engaging play spaces. Click here to access the World...
Park People’s 2024 Canadian City Parks Report, titled "Bridging the Gap," examines how partnerships and collaborations can help overcome the pressing challenges facing Canada’s park sector today. With insights from cities across Canada, this sixth annual edition highlights strategies to advance urban park development and management while fostering vibrant, inclusive, and resilient spaces for all. To...
Outdoor Play Canada and Children & Nature Denmark recently came together to present a special webinar on supporting outdoor play and learning for children disabilities. This session highlighted the ongoing work of two national outdoor play organizations and research findings on inclusive and accessible outdoor play and learning from both Canada and Denmark. To watch this...
Child Health BC, with partners Sport for Life Society, YMCA of Greater Vancouver, Childhood Healthy Living Foundation, and BC Recreation and Parks Association developed the Appetite to Play program to build physical activity, physical literacy, and food literacy capacity in early years settings. Appetite to Play provides a web resource, toolkit, and training workshops for...
Kim Hiscott, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Andrew Fleck Children's Services sat down with Debbie Groff, Child Care Deputy Senior Administrator for the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) in Washington State. In 2021, Washington State became the first state in the US to license outdoor, nature-based childcare programs for preschool and school-age children....
Finding Nature is a “Nature Connectedness Research Blog” by Professor Miles Richardson. Professor Miles Richardson founded the Nature Connectedness Research Group which focuses on understanding and improving people’s connection to nature. They have several resources including a few handbooks including The Nature Connection Handbook! Learn more about Finding Nature blog here!...
