Schools

“When we take the learning from the classroom and into the outdoors, children are introduced to a “connected knowing” where education becomes part of life, rather than separated from it” (Gardner).

Children’s Lands Canada (CLC) provides training workshops that enable schools to incorporate Children’s Lands into their curriculum. CLC acknowledges the sacredness of childhood and recognizes that it is during these formative years that young people develop the values and attitudes that are carried throughout their adult lives. CLC offers a proven methodology that has evolved over the last nineteen years and has been recognized as a, “best practice of education” by UNESCO. The methodology provides support, tools and guidance to teachers and child care facilitators as they work with children to create a natural and interactive learning model. The CLC methodology complements and strengthens learning domains, builds environmental stewardship and awareness, and supports imagination, creativity and wonder.

Children’s Lands Canada is proud to work with the following educational organizations that have embraced the Children’s Lands Methodology and are incorporating it into their programming:

Niwasa Early Learning and Care Centre
Niwasa Early Learning and Care Centre is a licensed childcare facility for preschool children, ages 2.5 to 5 years old.  Niwasa provides access to services and support for all children and parents, regardless of individual, economic or social circumstances; providing young children with the opportunity to explore, create, discover and learn.

NELCC is proud to be the first educational organization in Canada to embrace Children’s Lands. “The program empowers our children with the confidence and skills they need to grow their own food, while facilitating a personal connection with the Earth. Through Children’s Lands, the children have transformed their classroom and outdoor play space into a place of beauty that is significant and meaningful to them” (Monique Lavallee – Executive Director)

Niwasa Aboriginal Head Start
Niwasa Aboriginal Head Start is a preschool program that provides a culturally inclusive learning environment for Aboriginal children ages 2.5–5 years old.  Our six core components are:  Culture, Language, Nutrition, Social Support, Health Promotion and Parental Involvement.

The Children’s Lands Initiative evolved at Head Start from the children coming to our program from the Niwasa Early Learning and Care Centre. They missed their Children’s Land at NELCC and wanted to create one at their new location. The children, staff and parents worked together to transform their play area into a living place of magic where every child had a space to plant plants that benefited themselves, other people and the natural world. The program not only inspired the children in our care, but also their families and the larger community. We are proud to witness many of our children bringing their knowledge and skills home with them and creating their own Children’s Lands with their families and loved ones.

Interested in joining our team? Please visit our events/training page or contact Jackie Ryan at plantseedsofhope@gmail.com for information about upcoming trainings.