Honk, Honk, beep, beep…ahhh, the sound of cities! But listen closer and you’ll also hear tweet, tweet. Look deeper, and you’ll see trees. Smell further, and you’ll sense the sweetness of nature all around you! Are you offering children programming in an urban setting and want to integrate Nature-Based Activities? Well look all around you…a small patch of grass, a single tree and a walk outside are all opportunities to connect with nature, generate curiosity and play outside! Taking advantage of these opportunities provides children with ways to understand nature, such as why leaves fall from trees, where rain goes in a city, and how city animals find shelter. In this workshop we will explore the foundation of how to create safe and comfortable Nature-Based Activities in an urban setting and then learn a whole list of activities that you can start incorporating into your program tomorrow!

Vanessa Simmonds is a proud early childhood educator and has been in the field since 2007. She currently works as a sessional instructor at North Island College and facilitates an outdoor parent and tot program in Courtenay, BC through Hand-in-Hand Nature Education. Vanessa believes that the early years are by far the best years to spend outdoors. With rich imaginations, an insatiable curiosity and a love for experimenting, she thinks time spent in nature beautifully compliments a young child’s need to explore their world. In her experience, children (and adults) are able to feel a sense of calm, adventure and wonder in natural settings that cannot be mimicked indoors.

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.

You will need access to a laptop, tablet or computer with a camera or audio capabilities to join us.

A link to the presentation will be emailed to you the day before the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join us. Further instructions will be included in the email.

For faster access you can download Zoom for free at https://zoom.us/signup

For more information please call 604 533 4425.