NACC - M1 Ch4 - Terms

Play that takes place outdoors and supports children's overall development.
Example: Children climbing, digging, and exploring a natural playground.

A child's ability to make choices and direct their own learning.
Example: A child decides to build a shelter using sticks and logs.

An approach that views outdoor environments as important learning spaces.
Example: Educators using a forest walk to teach science and observation skills.

An environment filled with opportunities for exploration, creativity and learning.
Example: An outdoor area with gardens, water, logs and loose materials.

Materials that children can move, combine, build with and explore.
Example: Rocks, sticks, pinecones, shells, tires and wooden blocks.

An outdoor play space designed or constructed by people.
Example: A playground with climbing structures and slides.

An outdoor space that includes natural elements.
Example: A forest, field, pond or nature trail.

Approaches that emphasize learning from the land, relationships and community.
Example: Learning about local plants through Indigenous knowledge.

Play that involves manageable challenges and uncertainty.
Example: Climbing a large rock while being supervised.

Friendly physical play such as wrestling, chasing, or play fighting.
Example: Two children pretending to be superheroes while safely wrestling.

Working together across different sectors to support outdoor play.
Example: Schools, child care centres, health organizations, and communities collaborating to improve outdoor spaces.

An indigenous teaching approach that considers the whole person.
Example: Learning about balance through the four directions: east, south, west and north.