This October, as part of my USA and Canada speaking tour, I had the pleasure of visiting Toronto and Hamilton in Ontario. These visits were filled with opportunities to connect with passionate educators. We shared insights, exploring inspiring approaches to risk and play in outdoor education. It was an honour to collaborate with organisations and individuals who align closely with Educated by Nature.
Workshops on Risk, Play, and Nature Connection
During my time in Ontario, I delivered workshops to two organisations: the Child Development Resource Connection Peel (CDRCP) and the Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC). Both organisations play a significant role in the early learning sector, offering resources and professional learning opportunities for educators.
In my workshops, we delved into the essential role of risk, play, and connection to nature in child development. Together, we explored the importance of providing children with access to rich, authentic, nature-based experiences. I challenged participants to push the boundaries—both physically and metaphorically—when it comes to the environments they create for children, ensuring these spaces offer meaningful opportunities for risk-taking, growth, and exploration. It was exciting to see educators step outside comfort zones to foster resilience and adventure in their students.
A Visit to Equinox: An Extraordinary Outdoor Kindergarten
One of the highlights of my visit was spending time at Equinox Holistic Alternative School, part of the Toronto District School Board. I had the privilege of visiting their outdoor kindergarten program, and it left a lasting impression.
Educators Heather and Lindsay welcomed me warmly, sharing their insights on fostering resilience and self-regulation in their students. What struck me most was the confidence, independence, and self-sufficiency of the children. These were some of the most industrious and playful kindy students I have ever encountered, navigating their outdoor environment with ease, joy, and purpose. Their learning was authentic and deeply rooted in the rhythms of nature.
What stood out most was the commitment to year-round outdoor learning. The children are outside in all weather and only come indoors when the temperature drops below -20°C! Witnessing their robust regulation and industrious play was a powerful reminder of how children flourish when they have the time, space, and freedom to explore. Equinox embodies what happens when educators trust children’s capacity to thrive in outdoor environments.
Time with Adam and Jill Bienenstock: Mentorship through Play
Another enriching part of my journey was staying with Adam and Jill Bienenstock, the visionaries behind Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds. Touring their operational and production sites was inspiring. I saw how they transform playgrounds into places where children can reconnect with nature and themselves.
Adam and I first connected more than 15 years ago, when he visited Bold Park Community School to work with my class on developing natural spaces. Over the years, we’ve crossed paths at various conferences, including the Children and Nature Network Conference in Colorado in 2023. It was an honour to stay at their guest house, contributing to their central pillar, a collection of greetings from leading thinkers in education and play—among them dear friends and colleagues like Gillian McAuliffe, Claire Warden, Toni and Robin Christie, Tim Gill, and Angela Hanscom.
Although Educated by Nature and Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds take slightly different approaches—Bienenstock’s expertise includes the design and creation of natural play spaces, while we focus more on mentoring, advocacy, and working directly with schools—we are united by a shared passion for fostering nature connection and supporting children’s well-being. These conversations reaffirmed the importance of advocating for children’s right to play, explore, and connect with the natural world, and I left inspired by the depth of alignment between our work.
Reflections on the State of Education
Adam and I also discussed the state of education and early childhood care in Ontario, drawing clear parallels with the challenges we face in Western Australia. Both regions grapple with restrictive educational frameworks that limit children’s opportunities for play-based learning, despite educators’ efforts to create meaningful experiences. These conversations were sobering but affirming, highlighting the need to continue advocating for play and nature-connected learning within our respective contexts.
ReNature: A New Foundation for Nature Connection
In the midst of these discussions, Adam shared exciting developments about a new foundation he is leading: ReNature. This foundation has a bold mission, with the goal of connecting 1 million children to nature every day. ReNature’s work is built around four key pillars:
- Forests – Engaging children and communities in forest-based experiences.
- Classrooms – Integrating outdoor learning into school environments.
- Mentorship – Supporting educators in delivering nature-based programs.
- Curriculum – Developing curriculum frameworks centred on play and nature connection.
You can explore the work of this exciting new foundation at ReNature. It was inspiring to see how closely ReNature’s values align with much of what we do at Educated by Nature through our mentorship, advocacy, and collaboration with schools.
Collaboration and Shared Purpose
Opportunities like these—where we exchange ideas, collaborate across borders, and reconnect with passionate colleagues—are invaluable. It was an honour to visit programs like Equinox, and spend time with inspiring friends like Adam and Jill.
These experiences reaffirm the importance of advocating for children’s right to play and fostering their connection to the natural world. It is through such collaboration and shared purpose that we build a global movement—one dedicated to resilience, joy, and adventure in learning. I return home to Western Australia inspired, grateful for the friendships formed, and excited to continue this vital work.
