Active Engagement in Outdoor Pedagogical Practice

Active engagement underscores our interconnectedness with nature, fostering health and well-being. Research supports the benefits of playing, teaching, and learning outdoors (PLaTO) for children, families, educators, and communities. Rooted in the principle of Active Engagement of the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play’s National Framework, students cultivate a solid foundation for nurturing early learning within, about, and alongside the natural environment. This involves embracing circular pedagogy, an evolving approach that emphasizes continuous engagement with nature. Students consider the importance of the educator’s role in a continuum of play outdoors, emphasizing inclusive outdoor spaces that reflect diverse needs and experiences. Students reflect on their personal histories with the outdoor world and accept an invitation to embrace experiential, play-based, and inquiry-led learning in the outdoors. Students are encouraged to engage through a culturally responsive lens, honouring Indigenous knowledge and embracing anti-colonial and anti-racist practices. Students collaborate as co-learners within a community in support of collective learning.