Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/609675
provide a natural learning area that complements our ravine, where our students can innovate and create on a daily basis," said Régis Boucher, Eco-Leader. "What we are seeing is that play time is actually incredible learning time." Creating outdoor educational spaces is a trend that has been widely adopted across Europe and Canada. Grounded in research showing that children thrive amongst the limitless learning opportunities of being outside and in nature, this trend is also spreading across TFS, as our West Campus is including natural learning areas in its new playground. "Thanks to the Learning Ground, our students are collaborating and cooperating better than ever. They are also more aware of their environment and pointing out leaves, trees and animals. It is wonderful to see," said Sylvain Buecher, SK Teacher at La p'tite école. « Grâce à l'espace d'apprentissage en plein air, nos élèves coopèrent et collaborent encore plus qu'ils ne le faisaient auparavant. Ils ont également plus conscience de la nature environnante : les feuilles, les arbres et les animaux. C'est vraiment enthousiasmant d'observer ces comportements », a souligné Sylvain Buecher, enseignant de la Grande Section à La p'tite école. FROM PLAY GROUNDS TO LEARNING GROUNDS FEATURE by Amy Morin "We know that when we transform areas, we transform behaviours." — Régis Boucher V isit any Senior Kindergarten or Grade 1 recess in Toronto and you will see something interesting. Students have become very resourceful in using loose materials, ranging from pieces of wood to leaves, to build homes, mazes, and even measuring scales. Others are hopping on the log balance beams, acting out an impromptu performance. Girls and boys are working together in the sandbox and designing a miniature world. At La p'tite école's new Learning Ground, students aren't just playing, they are inventing. Their inspiration is not from technology or toys, but rather nature. Resulting from a collaboration between the school's eco-leaders, teachers and groundskeeper, Ryan Freeman (a trained landscape designer), the new Learning Ground includes an outdoor classroom and play area built from materials that were recovered from the TFS ravine and repurposed. Inspired by other "learning grounds," including Evergreen Brick Works, it includes different areas to encourage physical play, such as the log balance beams and stepping-stones, and creative areas, such as the sandbox and loose materials box. Careful planning went into the Learning Ground, including fragrant shrubs that were planted to provide a soothing scent and an area for quieter play. "We know that when we transform areas, we transform behaviours. Our goal was to 11 TFS ENTRE NOUS 2015