Autumn slowly settles in

The signs of autumn are becoming increasingly visible in our beautiful region. The trees are decked out in their finest colors, even if the greenery is still present: brilliant reds, golden yellows and blazing oranges light up our forests. The changing light softens the landscape and the rhythm of the animals begins to change, as the days grow shorter.

 

The sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet and the cool breeze beginning to make itself felt: nature is well and truly preparing for the coming winter! You can feel it in every plant, tree and animal. Squirrels are busy gathering provisions for the cold months, while plants such as thistle and St John’s wort are wilting, leaving behind seeds ready to germinate next spring.

The heat is still very much with us, but you can already feel the change in the air. Particularly in the mornings, which are already much cooler than this summer. It is the perfect time to enjoy nature walks with your family and observe these splendid transformations. Do not forget to bring an extra layer of warmth in the morning, so you can make the most of your time in nature.

Short of ideas for simple family activities to enjoy the beautiful autumn days? Here are just a few!

3 ideas for family activities :

  • Autumn picnic in the forest
    What could be better than a basket filled with hot soups in a thermos and homemade snacks, on a carpet of autumn leaves? You can take advantage of this picnic to observe the changes around you. You can even bring binoculars and observe the wildlife. You are sure to spot squirrels gathering nuts, migratory birds preparing to leave or insects seeking refuge.
     
  • Land art
    Take advantage of the natural elements you find (leaves, branches, stones) to create an outdoor work of art. It is an activity that stimulates the creativity and imagination of children … and parents!
     
  • Forest walk with leaf collection
    Go for a walk and collect the most beautiful autumn leaves. Back home, you can use them to create works of art such as leaf wreaths or collages.

Boréal des tout-petits : The return of outdoor play in the forest 🍃

We are delighted to announce that our forest trips are gradually returning to their former rhythm.

Initially, we will be organizing forest trips in the mornings. This will enable the little ones to get used to the outdoors again.

Eventually, we also plan to reintroduce afternoon pick-ups in the forest. We are really looking forward to getting our little explorers back to playing in nature! And it is already started!

The first trip since the summer break was a real success. The children were delighted to be back in the forest! They paid close attention during the short walk to the forest. They were happy (and so were the adults!) to be out in nature. With unbridled enthusiasm, they all embarked on a spontaneous hut-building project, helping to move pieces of wood to build it.

After a morning of exploration, construction and fun, the afternoon nap was well deserved for our little adventurers! We were delighted to see the children’s enthusiasm for nature, their creativity and their joy at once again being able to play and learn in this privileged space.

A throw back at the September 24 webinar: forest project and action-research

Since 2019, the various groups of children have been taking regular trips into the forest, thanks to the partnership with Collège Boréal and the Carrefour francophone’s commitment to research. The impetus for the pilot project, structured and documented, dates back to the summer of 2020 through former educator Céline Kerampran. This led to the action-research funded by Employment and Social Development Canada…

This program consists of creating relationships between children and their immediate environment (forests, parks, fields, etc.). To achieve this, we support early childhood centres in getting out into the fresh air slowly, regularly, often and for a long time.

All participants, children and adults alike, enjoy the benefits of this program (child-led play, risky play, stress reduction, well-being).

On September 24, we had the pleasure of sharing with you the results of the CPE forêt action-research project during a webinar open to the public. If you were not able to attend, do not worry! You can still watch the replay here.

In this webinar, you will find out how this unique project came about in the midst of a pandemic, what field activities are on offer (such as the outdoor play area and the forest play area), and the support provided to staff to supervise these activities. You will also find an overview of the results of this research, which continues to inspire our day-to-day work.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Think of September 30 of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is an important day to come together and pay tribute to the children who were never able to return home, to the survivors of residential schools, and to their families and communities.

Carrefour francophone would like to say thank you

Our project partners: PLAYLearnThink, Collège Boréal, Centre Louis Riel; our research partners: Child and Family Social Innovation Centre and our funder: Employment and Social Development Canada.