The Beaches Nature School is optimizing the Ontario curriculum for an outdoor learning environment

Erin Horrocks-Pope Saturday, September 26, 2020

For centuries, outdoor learning has been a staple in education. From Plato and Epicurus in Ancient Greece, to historical and present Indigenous teachings emphasizing the importance of people's relationships with the land for learning and development.

Kyla shows off a big leaf she found in the Glen Stewart Ravine. "It's as big as my face! It fell down from off a tree." Thursday, September 24, 2020.

Numerous studies have explored and verified the benefits of outdoor learning, citing primarily that students who learn outdoors are more likely to be attentive and have reduced stress and anxiety. But there are so many other advantages for children who learn in, and from the nature that surrounds them.

Julia Donnelly O’Neill is an Ontario Certified Elementary Teacher, with a passion for implementing and creating outdoor learning programs for children. This September, she started a nature-based, play-based program running out of the Beaches community.

Ontario Certified Teacher, Julia Donnelly O'Neill has taught in the TDSB for 10 years. Now, she is developing nature-based education and curriculum for her outdoor learning program, the Beaches Nature School. Photo submitted by Donnelly O'Neill on September 26, 2020.

In 2014, Donnelly O’Neill was selected to take part in a collaborative project with the David Suzuki Foundation, piloting curriculum for learning with nature. This was the first time she saw the direct effects of bringing children outside for their lessons.

“For about seven years I’ve had this dream, this vision of outdoor teaching,” Donnelly O’Neill said. “When I moved to the Beaches, I decided that this was the ideal spot for me to do outdoor education.”

This September, Donnelly O’Neill launched the Beaches Nature School. A fully outdoor ten-week program, operating three days a week, based out of Glen Stewart Park and expanding to the surrounding areas.

The curriculum at the Beaches Nature School is based on the Ontario Curriculum and structured around the children’s interests and development. Each week has a theme, last week’s theme was bugs based on an enthusiastic conversation between the children about what bees do and why.

Maddox explains how he is keeping track of all the bugs he has found in Glen Stewart Ravine today by using checkmarks and tallies. Thursday, September 24, 2020.

Donnelly O’Neill has big hopes for her nature school and is eager to evolve it into a full-day program running throughout the school year. Her program has gained lots of interest from parents who are recognizing the benefits of outdoor learning.

“This just started,” she said. “And, it’s only going to grow from here.”

Donnelly O’Neill will continue working towards her goal of creating an accessible outdoor learning space for children which celebrates the environmental diversity of our urban community. Play and nature-based learning are both emphasized by children as their central path to healthy and happy development.

Julia Donnelly O'Neill, or "Miss Julia", reads the children a story about ants during snack time in Glen Stewart Ravine. Donnelly O'Neill focuses the books she chooses for each day based on the children's educational development and observed interests. Thursday, September 24, 2020.

When asked about the program, the enrolled children all gave enthusiastic reviews of their favourite things to do at nature school.

“I like reading books when we have snack. And I like going across the river to play at the fort!”

-Victoria, 5-years-old

“I like everything. I like every best part. At nature school, everything that you say, I love!”

-Henry, 4-years-old

“Butterflies are my favourite. I have a friend that’s a red and orange and black butterfly. He’s a Monarch Butterfly!”

-Easton, 4-years-old

“We have a fort! And we go play in it and build it. Today a squirrel put a pile of food for its meal in our fort. There were seeds and berries. The berries were red.”

-Maddox, 4-years-old

“I like finding things. Today I found ants and caterpillars and I counted them. And, I found a leaf, like as big as my face!”

-Kyla, 4-years-old

Registration for the Beaches Nature School program is still open to applicants.

For more information CLICK HERE or email beachesnatureschool@gmail.com