A beautiful summer... despite a few bites!

The month of July is upon us, with its promise of fresh air, discovery and outdoor play. In our centres, children are enjoying the outdoors as much as possible, day camps are in full swing… but summer also reminds us that sometimes we have to adapt.

Mosquitoes at Boréal des tout-petits, black flies at Sudbury East, and the challenges they represent for educators and children alike are now part of our daily routine. It is also these little obstacles that fuel our thinking and strengthen our creativity.

In this newsletter, I’d like to take you on a tour of our current projects: the challenges we’re facing, a carefully rebuilt cabin and children with a passion for caterpillars.

So make yourself comfortable, enjoy your reading and watch out for bites!

 

Mathieu Lambert
Daycare Forest Project Coordinator – outdoor pedagogical leader,
Carrefour francophone.

Mosquitoes and black flies: when summer calls for adaptation

Summer in nature also means… biting insects! In recent weeks, at Boréal des tout-petits, mosquitoes have become the main obstacle to our forest outings. On the Sudbury East side, it is the black flies that are inviting themselves to the party, much to our “delight”!

These situations, though restrictive, remind us that evolving in nature also means dealing with its realities. And this has prompted our team to look for appropriate solutions to continue offering quality outdoor experiences.

We are now looking at ways to combine comfort, safety and the pleasure of exploration, so that children can continue to enjoy the great outdoors… without too many bites!

And if you are looking for prevention tips, a few weeks ago we shared a post on our social networks to better understand how to protect young and old alike from these annoying insects.

A cabin rebuilt with passion (and muscle)

After winter and spring, our Boréal des tout-petits cabin in the forest had taken a beating. Like every year, the team took the time to check the state of our outdoor facilities. The verdict: it was time to rebuild the cabin, which had become too unstable to accommodate the children.

So it was with four arms – Érick’s and mine – that we rolled up our sleeves to breathe new life into this space so much appreciated by the children. The hut is more than just a shelter: it is a landmark, a refuge, a place for stories and imagination.

We ca not wait to share with you some photos of the children who are settling in again, delighted to find this space built for and with them.

It certainly underlines the importance of checking the condition of our structures at least twice a year: before and after winter, to ensure everyone’s safety. But these are not the only times, in fact, after major weather events, it is essential to check the structures.

These simple gestures make all the difference!

A little trip to Boréal des tout-petits!

Finally, as we do every month, we will be sharing a few photos taken at our various centres. This month, the spotlight is on Boréal des tout-petits.

These little moments show you a glimpse of our daily life: children connected to their environment, committed educational staff, and a team passionate about helping children grow up outdoors.

Caterpillars, between curiosity and wonder

This month, the children were delighted to observe caterpillars!

It makes us want to incorporate a small butterfly farm on our premises next year, to follow their life cycle. The idea is gaining ground…

The kids are still having so much fun with the Boréal des tout-petits toddler car!

It is impossible to pass through the playground without taking the car for a spin!

Children love it, and never miss an opportunity to play driver and passenger, and let their imaginations run wild.

At Boréal des tout-petits, we focus on motor skills!

This climbing structure, inspired by the Pikler triangle, has been installed to encourage children to climb, explore and develop their motor skills while having fun.

With its climbing holds, net and slide, it promises hours of play in a safe and stimulating environment.

What do you know about the Piklerian approach?

  • What do you think are the benefits of this type of equipment for motor development?
  • How do you think it encourages exploration and free play?
  • How does it relate to the Reggio Emilia approach?
  • Have you ever observed any changes in children’s behavior or skills when using this type of facility?

In the next newsletter, I will be sharing more details about the Pikler approach and the similarities it may have with the Reggio Emilia pedagogy. In the meantime, do not hesitate to share your thoughts on the subject with us by email : info@carrefour.ca!

Time for summer camps!

It would be unthinkable to send out this newsletter without mentioning the Carrefour francophone’s summer camps, which are taking place right now! Every week, kids discover new passions thanks to themed camps such as Grand Theatre Camp, Artmignons camp, LEGO camp, Podcast camp and Dance camp (which is full to date).

Of course, we also have outdoor camps throughout the summer! These camps give kids a chance to stock up on vitamin D while having fun and discovering all kinds of activities with our passionate outdoor entertainers and artists!

From a show at Place des Arts to unique artistic creations and outdoor discoveries, our young participants are in for a summer filled with fun, laughter and creativity.

To find out more about our camps and upcoming activities, visit our website or follow us on social networks!

Thank you for reading and being part of this wonderful adventure with us. Do not hesitate to write to us to share your ideas, and tell us how your summer is going!

See you soon,

 

Mathieu Lambert
Daycare Forest Project Coordinator – outdoor pedagogical leader,
Carrefour francophone.

Le Carrefour francophone souhaite offrir ses remerciements

Nos partenaires de projet : PLAYLearnThink, Collège Boréal, Centre éducatif des Premières Nations, Métis et Inuit et la Pavillon Shkode (Coeur du feu); nos partenaires de recherche : Centre d’innovation sociale pour l’enfant et la famille et notre bailleur de fonds : Emploi et Développement social Canada.