Bonjour! We are Victoria and Sandra. We teach students in the ECE division here at CFIS. Although we do not teach the same age of students, we both share a very strong love for the outdoors and for educating outdoors. We both grew up in Quebec in a time where playing outside was first and foremost. Both of us recall leaving home to play outside in the morning and being called back in for dinner. The countless hours that we spent in the woods playing, creating, building and exploring are something that we see as fundamental to us. It is also an element of identity formation that the children of today seem to experience less and less.
 

The world we live in today is more connected than ever- and also, we are more disconnected from nature and the world that nurtures us. The students that will take care of our planet in the future spend less time outside than children historically ever did. Here at CFIS, we are fortunate to have a forest next to us and dedicated time in our schedules to spend learning outdoors.

We have noticed some important changes in the students when we are outside. Firstly, energy and interest levels are instantly higher. Within twenty minutes of entering the forest, the energy of the entire class changes- students become calmer, play turns more cooperative- and students begin to brainstorm with each other about what to play, how to work together and how to problem solve. The Japanese call it Shinrin-yoku, or ‘forest bathing’- the mindful practice of being in the woods and using our senses to promote well-being, relieve stress and improve immunity. Whatever you want to call it, we are all for it.
 

What are some things that we do when we are outdoors? We greet the sun, we acknowledge the world around us and make observations about what we see. We discuss visiting the home of the plants and the animals and how to respect them. We play with what is there, trying our best to leave living things living and take only what we may need- and of course, not leave things behind. We learn how to take risks, explore new ideas, and play in new ways. The result: calm, cooperative kids asking deep questions and making connections to other ways of learning, living and being. It is always the season to go outside!