16 Curriculum
Suggested Reading
Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds. (2018). Disruptive, transformative, relentless global leaders in natural playgrounds. [website]. Retrieved from https://www.naturalplaygrounds.ca/
Bienenstock is a local (Dundas) company that celebrates divergent thinking and risk taking. Their team includes designers, landscape architects, trainers, educators and construction experts who engage in a comprehensive, international and multidisciplinary approach. Training and workshops in support of risky outdoor curriculum development are offered.
Bilton, H., & Waters, J. (2016). Why take young children outside? A critical consideration of the professed aims for outdoor learning in the early years by teachers from England and Wales. Social Sciences, 6(1), 1-16. doi:10.3390/socsci6010001
In this journal article, the findings suggest that more Welsh teachers plan outdoor environments explicitly for curriculum related learning compared to England teachers.
Canadian Parks Council. (2016). The nature playbook: Take action to connect a new generation of Canadians with nature. Retrieved from http://www.parks-parcs.ca/pdf/playbook/nature-playbook.pdf ISBN: 978-0-660-05644-9(paper)/ 978-0-660-05643-2 (PDF)
A free publication, which outlines how nature affects us and identifies seven strategies for increasing engagement with nature. The seven strategies offer solutions to a worldwide problem of disconnection from Nature. They came from groundbreaking research and programs presented at the 2014 IUCN World Parks Congress held in Australia.
Casey, T. & Robertson, J. (n.d.). Loose parts play. Inspiring Scotland, Soctland’s Play Strategy, and Scottish Government. Retrieved from https://www.inspiringscotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Loose-Parts-Play-web.pdf
A 72 page .PDF Toolkit to support adults in the play, early years, and education sectors feel more comfortable and confident in introducing loose parts play within their settings. The Toolkit aims to raise awareness of the value of loose parts to children’s play, to provide practical guidance, and to advocate the use of loose parts as an approach to developing play opportunities.
Children and Nature.org. (2018). Research library. [website] https://www.childrenandnature.org/research-library/
The database includes summaries of per-reviewed journal articles that focus on children and nature. Search options can be organized by population, outcomes, themes, research methods, and barriers.
Creative STAR Learning Ltd. (2017 – 2018). Creative Star website: I’m a teacher, get me outside here! Retrieved from https://creativestarlearning.co.uk/
This website is curated by Juliet Robertson, an advocate of the power of outdoor play in education. Teacher resources include a blog, resources, links to training courses, and support, with a focus on literacy and math. This is a Scotland/UK resource; the author speaks regularly in Canada.
go2play (2017, May). Play champions toolkit: A guide for developing yo