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Outdoor play and learning have many known benefits for children. It helps them make sense of the world, be more physically active, regulate emotions and learn to cooperate with others. Learning can be profoundly enriched by outdoor play, and schools are an important opportunity for all children to access this pedagogical approach.
Teachers face many challenges moving their class outdoors. We are developing an online tool that teachers can use as they transition to outdoor play and learning. This study benefits from the learnings of Megan Zeni’s PhD research [link] with teachers experienced with outdoor learning.
Our online Outdoor Play and Learning Tool is now available! To access, please visit: https://teacher.outsideplay.org/
Outdoor Play and Learning Tool was developed to assist teachers in supporting outdoor play and learning in elementary schools. The tool was developed by reviewing photos and videos shared by Canadian elementary school teachers that demonstrate effective and feasible outdoor play and learning in schools.
The launch of the online tool will be accompanied by an upcoming Speaker Series, consisting of presentations by experts in outdoor play and learning.
Outdoor play is a basic childhood need and taking risks is a necessary part of play. Whether jumping in a pile of leaves, climbing a tree, or playing street hockey, children are often happiest when playing. These kinds of experiences are a lot less common for kids today.
playoutside@bcchr.ca | 604-875-2433 | Vancouver, BC
We gratefully acknowledge that our places of work lie on the ancestral unceded territories of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).
