By Carrie Komesch As educators who are committed to a child-centred and emergent pedagogy, we are constantly challenging ourselves to find a balance between stepping back and trusting in the learning inherent in play, versus stepping in and adding a provocation. Our own foray into offering project-based learning at Out to Play has been aContinue reading “Project-based learning for older children in an emergent, inquiry-driven pedagogy”
Author Archives: Out to Play
Risk Benefit Assessment for Outdoor Play: A Canadian Toolkit
Water Play
By Sonja Lukassen Water can offer so many opportunities for play and learning: Playing in or near water can feel quite risky, and it can be easy to lose sight of the rich learning that can emerge because we worry about what can go wrong. It can feel easy to say no or redirect awayContinue reading “Water Play”
Reflecting on the Forest and Nature School Approach
By Sonja Lukassen A couple of years ago I was moving tables with a peer after shifting them to clean up a spill. I asked them what their plan was. “Where should we put this one?” I asked. “It’s usually over here,” they responded. “Is that where we’re going to put it now?” I asked. Continue reading “Reflecting on the Forest and Nature School Approach”
How we stay Safe and Kind while Playing on Ice
By Sonja Lukassen Playing with, on and near ice is incredibly inviting. Science and magic combine to offer a type of play that only happens outside when it’s cold- the conversion of life-giving splashy water into crystal, slippery, crunchy, slidey wondrous ice. It can feel tricky to say yes to playing on ice. If itContinue reading “How we stay Safe and Kind while Playing on Ice”
Embracing the Wonders of Winter
By Sonja Lukassen A fun truth about being a Forest and Nature School Educator is that people are curious about what that means. After explaining the basics to someone, there are a few questions that reliably emerge. All of these questions have simple answers, though these answers feel anything but simple when being faced andContinue reading “Embracing the Wonders of Winter”
Dressing for Winter and Cold
By Sonja Lukassen Winter is almost here! Soon we can be certain that all of the precipitation that falls will be snow (yay!) and temperatures will not only be below freezing, but possibly very cold. Along with the cold comes the need to pay special attention to how children, adults, and families who will beContinue reading “Dressing for Winter and Cold”
Being Prepared for Rainy Days at Forest School
By Sonja Lukassen One of the many wonders of autumn weather is cooling temperatures. The bugs retreat, the air is fresh, and the leaves start to change colour- it’s so beautiful. Along with this cooling weather comes the added challenge of being prepared for and managing rainy and puddly fall days. Rain in the summerContinue reading “Being Prepared for Rainy Days at Forest School”
Storytelling Ideas and Suggestions
By Sonja Lukassen We all understand the value of Stories. We have memories of being read to, of reading to our own children and those we work with. We have our favourite children’s books with engaging, poignant, funny stories and eye-catching, mesmerizing illustrations. We remember times when reading a story helped a sad child cheerContinue reading “Storytelling Ideas and Suggestions”
Doing a Dynamic Risk Assessment
By Sonja Lukassen We encounter risk each day on the land. We don’t post a list of rules at the entrance to the forest that details what cannot be done, a la don’t do this, don’t do that. That approach does not fit with our belief that children are competent and capable of making smartContinue reading “Doing a Dynamic Risk Assessment”
Out to Play 