What Would My 4 Seasons Nature-Based Learning Centre Look Like?
Anyone living in Canada would be able to let you know that we experience all types of weather from extremely cold to extremely hot and humid and everything in between. Usually, educators are quick to keep children inside during weather that isn't considered the “ideal” temperature or day. What is important for educators to remember is each season offers a unique and different possibilities for play and learning. Dietze, B., & Kashin, D. (2019). Outdoor and nature play in early childhood education. North York, Ontario: Pearson Canada.
If I was able to create my own nature-based learning centre, I would be sure to incorporate constant outdoor play no matter the season or weather conditions. When children are able to experience different seasonal play, it offers them a different aspect of exploration, thinking, and discovering which are all the mina foundational aspects to their learning. Dietze, B., & Kashin, D. (2019). Outdoor and nature play in early childhood education. North York, Ontario: Pearson Canada.
When children are able to be immersed into the different seasons they end up using the present season as the canvas for this learning. Children are able to use snow and winter as a blank canvas for art activities and science experiments. They are also able to learn about water freezing into ice and talking about how rain slowly turns into snow falling from the sky. During the rainier days, children will be able to jump into puddles and experience observing all the different bugs and animals that come out when the weather changes and seasons come and go. Dietze, B., & Kashin, D. (2019). Outdoor and nature play in early childhood education. North York, Ontario: Pearson Canada.
As an educator, it is important to make sure we set the stage for out door learning in the centres and making sure the materials are seasonal and appropriate for the weather conditions. It would be interesting for children to also see materials placed in all seasons and see which ones change and are un useable in the different weather conditions.
Doing circle’s in an outdoor learning environment are extra special especially when you are able to incorporate the seasonal learning into them. During the winter you can do an activity with children and have them hear water freezing and cracking, vs. listening for the birds chirping during the spring seasons and trying to recognize the sounds.
If I were to have my own nature based centre, I would be sure to make sure all the seasons are incorporated and placed into the curriculum for the children.
Photos sourced from: My own personal photos and https://naturalstart.org/resources/four-seasons-nature-based-preschool










