Published on Tuesday, December 2 2025
by landrianina in Blog
Dear families,
Autumn is slowly coming to an end, the leaves are becoming scarce, the first frosts have already whitened the mornings, and the snow has even begun to make an appearance. It is the season when nature slows down… but learning continues!
The last few weeks have been rich in discoveries, both for the children and for the educational staff.
On October 25th, we took several early childhood staff members to spend a full day in the forest at Wanup. The goal? To offer immersive training in nature, as part of our nature program, so that each staff member can in turn provide your children with inspiring, safe, and joyful outdoor experiences.
In this newsletter, we look back on this wonderful training day, share some useful tips for tackling the cold weather with confidence, and give you a glimpse into the activities that have recently taken place in our centres.
Happy reading, everyone!
Mathieu Lambert
Daycare Forest Project Coordinator – outdoor pedagogical leader, Carrefour francophone.
On Saturday, October 25th, some of the teaching staff from Carrefour francophone gathered in Wanup for a day of professional development in the heart of the forest!
During the day, three workshops were held, led by Mathieu Lambert, Erick Dubois, and Céline Kerampran. The participants, divided into small groups, explored different aspects of nature-based education: connection to the environment, safety, observation, risky play, and even orienteering without a map or compass.
The objectives were simple but essential:
The day was filled with good cheer and curiosity. Feedback from staff was overwhelmingly positive: many expressed how much the experience helped them feel more confident and inspired to spend more time outdoors with the children.
A second training day was scheduled for November 15th. However, due to difficult weather conditions (continuous rain and risk of ice), we decided to postpone it to a later date.
This change of plan is also a lesson that the educational staff can put into practice: knowing how to listen to nature, adapt our plans, and recognize when conditions are not conducive to a positive experience.
Workshop 1: Discovering nature in a different way
Led by: Mathieu Lambert
An outdoor educational advisor, Mathieu invited early childhood staff to slow down for a moment and take time to enjoy nature, far from distractions.
Through discussions and sensory activities, participants explored their personal relationship with the natural environment. The workshop concluded with the creation of ephemeral works of art and our own outdoor art gallery.
“I see this program as fertile ground: a space where we sow the seeds of curiosity, independence, and confidence. In children, of course, but also in the adults who accompany them.”
Workshop 2: Navigating without a compass
Led by: Erick Dubois
With his experience as a guide, firefighter specializing in hazardous environments, and teacher, Erick offered an introduction to navigating in nature without technological tools.
Participants learned how to find their bearings using natural elements: the position of the sun, moss on tree trunks, wind direction, sounds in the environment, etc.
The goal: to develop self-confidence and observation skills, rather than dependence on technology.
“The beaten path offers little richness; the other paths are full of it.”
– Jean Giono
Workshop 3: Risky play: daring, but with discernment
Led by: Céline Kerampran
With a background in early childhood education and a passion for outdoor learning, Céline introduced participants to the principles of risky play, inspired by the work of Ellen Sandseter.
Through discussions, analysis tools, and a walk in the forest, early childhood staff learned how to assess the benefits and risks of an activity to allow children to climb, run, explore, and test their limits… while staying safe.
These three workshops were rich learning experiences for the teams. But, as you know, being in nature requires adaptability. And the coming winter reminds us of this even more, with its cold temperatures, snow, and ice.
As the cold season sets in, it is a good time to think about how we can safely enjoy nature, even when temperatures drop below zero.
Before heading outside with the kids, let’s ask ourselves the right questions:
The cold should not be seen as an obstacle, but as another facet of nature to explore. It teaches children resilience, planning, body awareness, and the joy of movement.
And often, with the right clothes and a well-chosen activity, the cold is quickly forgotten!
The past few weeks have once again shown how nature offers children countless opportunities to marvel.
At Pavillon des tout-petits in Chelmsford, children built a snow bear, then happily destroyed it! A wonderful example of freedom and experimentation: build, destroy, start again.
At Foyer des tout-petits, a walk allowed the children to listen to the sounds of nature: the wind in the trees, the birds, the rustling of leaves. These quiet moments stimulate their attention and concentration.
At Découverte des tout-petits, the children worked together to build a hut out of cut branches. This activity helps develop motor skills, collaboration, and a sense of community.
These moments spent outdoors nourish children’s curiosity and confidence every day.
The cold season is slowly approaching, and with it, new ways to explore outdoors.
Here are a few questions to continue thinking together—at home and at the early childhood centre—about the opportunities that the coming winter offers:
1. How do children react to the arrival of cold weather?
Do you notice any different behaviors (more movement, less patience, more calm, more excitement)?
What signs show you that a child is comfortable or less comfortable?
2. What skills do children develop thanks to the cold?
Zipping up a coat, putting on gloves, recognizing their own comfort level, staying active to keep warm…
What learning do you observe during the first cold outings?
3. How can we strike a balance between safety and freedom of movement?
What limits do we set outdoors in winter?
What freedoms can we offer despite the snow, water, and ice?
4. Can the cold become an ally for learning?
How can we use the elements of the season—ice, frost, snow, and hoarfrost—to support sensory, scientific, or motor learning?
5. What role can we play in helping children enjoy winter?
What attitudes, words, or preparations make the experience more positive?
What can we model to encourage rather than discourage?
We will answer some of these questions by sharing observations from the field, concrete strategies, and ideas for winter activities, so that the cold season becomes a time rich in discoveries.
Each season has its challenges and its beauty. In November, the light changes, the wind picks up, and the forest gradually falls asleep. But for children, all of this remains a source of exploration.
Collecting frozen leaves, making mist, listening to the rain fall—these are all sensory experiences that build memories of the outdoors.
Thank you to all the educational teams for their commitment and creativity, and to you, dear families, for continuing to encourage your children to go outside, explore, and marvel at the world around them.
Together, let’s make the outdoors a place of learning and shared happiness… all year round!
Mathieu Lambert
Daycare Forest Project Coordinator – outdoor pedagogical leader, Carrefour francophone.
FrancoFacts : facts from research on vocabulary and language in minority contexts, presented by Chantal Mayer-Crittenden, speech-language pathologist and professor at Laurentian University
Nos partenaires de projet : PLAYLearnThink, Collège Boréal, Centre éducatif des Premières Nations, Métis et Inuit et la Pavillon Shkode (Cœur 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.
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