Alberta Council for Environmental Education, The City of Calgary and Common Digs is pleased to host Marlene Power, founder of Forest School Canada and Executive Director of Child and Nature Alliance of Canada for these two exciting workshops in Calgary May 5 and 6 2016.
May 5 - Introduction to Forest School
THIS DAY IS NOW FULL. There is still space in the May 6 Risky Play workshop.
We believe that all children have the right to hear the rustle of dead leaves on the winter poplar trees, build forts in rocky and mossy places, watch porcupines slowly make their way into safe places for hiding, and watch the great horned owl taunt the chickadees. Join us to support this in your own setting!
This full day workshop May 5 (9:30am - 3:30pm) covers the foundational pedagogy and practice of Forest and Nature Schools in Canada. Topics include: play-based learning, emergent curriculum in nature, place-based education, managing risk in children's play as well as planning and delivery of Forest School programs. Educators will leave with a broad understanding of Forest School practice in Canada, and how this could potentially relate to their future teaching methodologies and practice. We will be spending time outside in a local forest to learn by doing!
*** You must be prepared to be outside most of the day with sturdy footwear, warm clothing and a water bottle.
Who should attend?
Any educator or early childhood educator interested in learning more about this approach to outdoor and nature education.
It is also highly recommended for those interested in Forest School, but who want to learn more about nature-based education prior to committing to a year-long professional learning course offered by Forest Schools Canada.
May 6 - Risky Play
This full day workshop May 6 from (9:30am - 3:30pm) covers the importance of risky play to children’s learning and development, with a focus on both theory as well as the practice of supporting children to intrinsically navigate risk in their lives. In this workshop we will define “risky play”, explore the benefits of children having freedom in their play, ending with tangible resources on how to support children in this, while fulfilling our duty of care as educators, parents, and/or care providers.
The goal of this workshop is to (re)introduce the concept of risky play into the lives of people who work alongside and live with children, and to explore ways that we can support more children to have these opportunities in their lives. This workshop is ideal for nature-based educators, early childhood educators, professionals in the recreation and camping fields, community developers, parents, playworkers, grandparents…essentially anyone who views children as competent and capable, and who are looking to bring this value into how they support children’s play.
*** You must be prepared to be outside most of the day with sturdy footwear, warm clothing and a water bottle.
Marlene Power
Marlene Power founded the Carp Ridge Forest Preschool, Canada’s first outdoor, nature-based Forest Preschool, and created Forest School Canada, a national initiative to promote nature-based education through Forest School training, policy and research. Marlene first developed Forest School Canada as an initiative under the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada (CNAC). In December 2014 she was appointed Executive Director of the CNAC and she continues to lead Forest School Canada as a key program of CNAC. She also runs the Ottawa Forest and Nature School, the headquarters for CNAC, delivering Forest School programs to the Ottawa Carleton District School Board as well as the community.
Marlene studied at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Dalhousie University, and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Education at University of British Columbia, with a focus on risky play and student engagement. She has worked in a variety of settings, including community development, environmental education, and early childhood education. Marlene formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada, as well as TD Friends of the Environment Fund.
Marlene is an avid outdoors-person, social activist, environmentalist, and an advocate of children’s right to play in the natural world. She attributes her resilience, creativity, love of nature, and environmental values to the freedom she was given to roam during her childhood. She learned so much by growing up connected to the beauty and nature around her in outport Newfoundland. She currently lives in Chelsea, QC, and spends many days roaming the woods with her dog, and her two children, Hazel and Emry.
Event Details
You can attend both days or choose only one. If you attend both workshops, you receive a $25 discount on your registration. Come prepared to be outside with sturdy footwear, warm clothings, rain gear and a water bootle. as we will be spending most of our time each day in the forests around Edworthy Park.
If you have any questions, please contact Christina Pickles at christina@abcee.org or 403-998-4782.
5050 Spruce Dr. S.W.
Calgary, AB
Canada
| May 6 - Risky Play | $125.00 |