Research has highlighted the importance of children having contact with the natural environment. Find out what this means in practice and how you can incorporate it into everyday activities. This four-part series will look at how educators can incorporate the four 'non-living' elements: Air, Water, Fire, and Earth into an early learning and child care setting and how this aligns with Ontario's Early Learning Frameworks: Early Learning for Every Child Today and How Does Learning Happen? Within each session, participants will have an opportunity to explore the concept of "messing about" and will gain strategies related to reflective practice using A Thinking Lens° for Reflection and Inquiry.
Children love getting dirty and contrary to popular belief, this is actually good for them! This interactive workshop will discuss the research, benefits, and importance of introducing earth into everyday activities. Participants will develop a portfolio of resources and activities that utilize the earth, in its many forms, to spark adventure and discovery in children. Participants are asked to bring a small amount of soil from their backyards to this session.
