Early Years (birth to 5 years)

Nature Walk
Landmark 4 (Favourite Place Weekly)
Before the holiday break, our class went on weekly nature walks to Jackson Park. Our students enjoyed exploring and building with natural materials.
Highland Heights Kinder Crew – Nov 20, 2020

A Special Tree
Landmark 4 (Favourite Place Weekly)
The Kindergarten Explores were invited to revisit their special tree that they choose in the fall. We noticed that many of our trees were now bare of leaves and there was snow on the ground, as well as on some of the branches. One student told us about his apple tree that had red apples to eat in the fall and now it didn’t, but it seemed taller! We made our own trees by tracing our forearms (the trunk) and our hands (the branches). We used tissue paper to add snow to the ground and on the branches. We are looking forward to visiting our special trees again in the season of spring!
Kindergarten Explorers – Jan 15, 2021

Deep Connections
Landmark 7 (Books, Songs, Games Weekly)
We read “That Chickadee Feeling” by Frank Glew. In this story, a child who is really bored, goes outside to the local park and meets a chickadee! The child feels so happy inside and soon discovers that you can have that “chickadee feeling”, even without the chickadee. To deepen connections to this story, our class worked on Journal entries about something that makes us feel happy, like the chickadee feeling. We also created birds using shapes we know (a big circle and a little circle). Some students began bringing back stories of birds they have seen around where they live.
Kindergarten Explorers – Jan 15, 2021

Super Snow Sculptures
Landmark 8 (Nature Art Weekly)
We had a plan to have a snow sculpture building competition outside at school, but the snow wasn’t the good packing snow that we needed to make this happen! So, instead we went outside, scooped up bins full of snow for each of us and brought it inside. When you bring that kind of snow inside, and let it melt a little bit, it turns into perfect packing snow, so that’s what we did! The kids then created their sculptures in their bins. It was great!
HH LLS A – Jan 18, 2021

Exploring Tracks
Landmark 7 (Books, Songs, Games Weekly)
One of the teachers shared a photo with the class of some tracks she came across while hiking. We wondered about them and began asking questions. What do they look like? Are they big or small? What kind of creature could have made them? We read Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee. In this story, a child follows tracks all around where she lives and asks, “Tracks in the snow, tracks in the snow, who made the tracks? Where do they go?” Some students then noticed tracks when they were playing outside. Their photos became track mysteries that led to many questions, discussions, and predictions.
Kindergarten Explorers – Jan 12, 2021

Wonderful Winter Walks
Landmark 3 (Exercise Senses Daily)
Hi Pathway! We just wanted to show you our “Nature Trail Back to Daycare”, which we all took home and completed over our winter break. We used our senses daily, visited places around our homes, spotted wild creatures, and enjoyed the world of Winter with our FAMILIES!
Babbling Brook Daycare – Jan 1, 2021

Rosy Red Cheeks
Landmark 1 (Explore Together Weekly)
We love to take our time as we venture down our path and today was no exception…we stopped to notice all the sounds of the chickadees and blue jays. We closed our eyes and smiled at the wind who kissed our cheeks rosy red. Our world is an icy, crunchy, sparkly wonderland and there are surprises around every tree.
Babbling Brook Daycare – Jan 12, 2021

Hike and Hot Chocolate
Landmark 6 (Play in Nature a Full Hour)
We saw so many birds, danced with the apple tree, investigated the babbling water which we could hear- but not see, tossed snow into the water which made wonderful slush and wandered all the way to the tunnel where we enjoyed a snack and hot chocolate. This was the highlight of my week friends! Thank you for a wonderful hike!
Babbling Brook Daycare – Jan 14, 2021

Cedar and Sumac
Landmark 8 (Nature Art Weekly)
Yesterday we carefully collected beautiful flora from our path. “Let’s add some cedar…” “And a bit of sumac.” the friends exchanged. They carefully arranged these in tiny muffin containers, before meticulously adding water to submerge the treasures. We left them out to freeze all night and were amazed at the beauty of our craft this morning. The nature bits looked so stunning frozen in time within the glistening ice.
Babbling Brook Daycare – Jan 6, 2021

A Peaceful Trail
Landmark 1 (Explore Together Weekly)
What a wonderful world! Today we used our ski’s and snow shoes to travel peacefully down our trail…stopping to admire all the prints and chickadees and bright red dogwood along the way. The destination of our adventure was of course the Apple tree, which is a daily adventure that brings us so much joy!
Babbling Brook Daycare – 01/12/2021

Kindergarten Explorers
Landmark 7 (Books, Songs, Games Weekly)
We read The Great Spruce by John Duvall, in which a young boy finds a way to save his favourite tree, a spruce tree. The students were invited to collect three different evergreens that were growing around were they live and we did an evergreen investigation. What do they look like? Do they have needles or scales? What do they smell like? (“So nice!”) We did some experiments with evergreen cones. Do they float or sink? What happens when they are wet and when they are dry? We also sprinkled baking soda on them and glitter, then dropped vinegar on top with an eye dropper to see what happened.
Kindergarten Explorers – Jan 12, 2021

Pure Delight
Landmark 4 (Favourite Place Weekly)
Off to the trail! It was such a dreary morning…but we had the chance to watch the sun come out! It’s so exciting to watch the weather change. We stomped about with our snow shoes and visited our apple tree. We loved climbing and hiding…we are such joyful explorers! Visiting this special apple tree, every day, has allowed us to watch carefully as the seasons change around us. We feel very connected to this space, which grows up wild and green during the summer, and becomes soft and quiet during January. “Oh, hello moss”, said Hughey. What pure delight to find this bit of persistent green.
Babbling Brook Daycare – Jan 11, 2021

neighbourhood walk
Landmark 4 (Favourite Place Weekly)
The location of our child care at Trent Child Care @ St. Lukes provides excellent opportunities for children and educators to explore the East City community. We took a neighbourhood walk while observing the environment and signs of nature around us. We tapped into our senses including sight and sound as we observed squirrel nests high in trees and birds chirping as they flew past. We have a favourite small bridge we enjoy walking over while stopping to look and listen to the water traveling beneath. This time on the walk, the children observed that the water was running freely. On our previous walk to the same area, the water was still as it was frozen. Looking forward to our next adventure 😊
Trent Child Care at St Luke’s – Dec 11, 2020

The route less travelled
Landmark 1 (Explore Together Weekly)
During our weekly Roots of Discovery program at Isabel Morris Park Lakefield, we explore several routes through and around the park. The last time we visited this trail, there was a very wet, sticky and muddy patch that we got through by stepping over some thick branches. The visit today was NOT muddy, but the “bridge” was very noticeable. The children noticed that the branches where “stuck”… hmm could we cross over it? Was the ice strong enough? The children tested the ice by hitting it with a stick… “It’s strong enough to hold us… we’re little… I don’t think it’s strong enough for you guys (adults)”. Then the children noticed the different sounds that were coming from the the ice in comparison to the logs and smaller branches.
Peterborough Child and Family Centre Play to Learn – Dec 16, 2020

Decoration Feeder Fun
Landmark 3 (Exercise Senses Daily)
After following tracks last week, we knew there were little critters in the woods we visited… We also noticed the bits of food left were gone. This week we made little decoration feeders with some birdseed and lard pressed into donut molds, and frozen. For simplicity, we didn’t add string to make it easier to hang onto branches without the removal of mitts.
Peterborough Child and Family Centre Play to Learn – Dec 16, /2020

Watery Path
Landmark 1 (Explore Together Weekly)
Walking the Mill Pond Trails, Norwood, during out Thursday Roots of Discovery group, we noticed water running under the normally dried up creek. As we followed the trail to this area, where we discovered where all the water was running off to, leading toward Mill Pond.
Peterborough Child and Family Centre Play to Learn – Dec 7, 2020

Tracks in the Snow
Landmark 2 (Animal Friends Monthly)
After a fresh dump of snow this week, we followed some tracks through the park and around the surrounding town. At first one child thought it could be “a frog” as the tracks went towards the water… then one thought “a bunny” as the tracks went towards some bushes… then the tracks went towards a tree, and then a dumpster, then another, and then back to the park. After seeing a squirrel hopping in the trees we wonder if that could be.
Peterborough Child and Family Centre Play to Learn – Dec 9, 2020

Hiding Amongst the Trees
Landmark 1 (Explore Together Weekly)
The toddlers have been enjoying visiting their favourite spot beside the school, over by the pine trees. Weekly walks over to this special spot to enjoy together for small group, exploring nature, playing games hiding amongst the low laying tree branches, tucking themselves away awaiting to be found. Exploring the senses as they touched, smelled and laid underneath to explore with their full bodies. The children worked together to gather branches to bring back and create a little nook for the entire room to explore on the yard and mimic the trees. They worked together placing the branches on-top to hang down and experience. We are having so much fun!
CELC-Peterborough – Dec 3, 2020

Bundle Up and Explore
Landmark 1 (Explore Together Weekly)
Our infants have been exploring quite the weather changes lately. The snow has provided opportunities to explore with a variety of tools and loose parts in different ways. Providing different opportunities for infants to explore (for some this is their first encounters with snow), and allows for choice, freedom to explore and problem-solving opportunities. Bundled up to explore the joys of winter together as a group provides a fun sensory play experience for all.
CELC-Peterborough – Dec 9, 2020

Into the Sky
Landmark 2 (Animal Friends Monthly)
Roots of Discovery Isabel Morris Park Lakefield enjoyed the presence of 3 white swans across the water. Apparently geese aren’t fans of the swans. We watched as several flocks of geese took off into the sky.
Peterborough Child and Family Centre Play to Learn – Nov 18, 2020

Curious Pinecones
Landmark 6 (Play in Nature a Full Hour)
During our adventure at Mill Pond Trails Norwood, we took a closer look at our surroundings. Pinecones were a great attraction.
Peterborough Child and Family Centre Play to Learn – Nov 19, 2020

What’s Inside the Egg?
Landmark 7 (Books, Songs, Games Weekly)
After our walk in the woods at Harper Park we shared some songs and Amy read a story. Everyone took turns guessing what was inside the egg. Sharing songs and stories outside is so much fun!
Peterborough Child and Family Centre Play to Learn – Nov 20, 2020

Climb and Conquer
Landmark 1 (Explore Together Weekly)
On our first snowy day in Jackson Park, Evelyn found the perfect tree to climb. With confidence and skill she made her way up the branches of the tree. Slowly but surely she made her way down with some words of encouragement from the rest of the group.
Peterborough Child and Family Centre Play to Learn – Nov 23, 2020

Nature Crafts Galore
Landmark 8 (Nature Art Weekly)
Here’s our month of nature crafting so far! Bird feeders, milk weed babies, maple key dragon flies, and more.
Babbling Brook Daycare – Nov 20, 2020

Marvellous Snow
Landmark 3 (Exercise Senses Daily)
Marvellous Mud! How wonderful it is to catch snow on your tongue and stomp in mud on the same day. The mud we found today was sticky and messy-so sticky in fact that Hughey’s boot got stuck in it. I loved watching the friends congregate here to explore the sounds and properties of mud.
Babbling Brook Daycare – Nov 17, 2020

A Curious Hole
Landmark 1 (Explore Together Weekly)
While exploring in Jackson Park, Clara was curious about what was in the hole under the tree. She could peek through and see her mom on the other side! It was an exciting discovery.
Peterborough Child and Family Centre Play to Learn – Nov 16, 2020

Chilly Exploration
Landmark #3 (Exercise Senses Daily)
Crunch! Slosh! Wiggle. Ice and water does so many things when put together during this in between time when they coexist in almost all corners of our yard. Sliding our fingers across large chunks is a smooooooth and slippery ride for our senses. Then suddenly our finger plunges into chilly water, the edges of a cracked bit of ice scratching our tingling finger just a bit. Everett and Brookey picked up the biggest chunks they could find using their big muscles. Crash! They smashed them on the hard ground leaving a mosaic of translucent glitter. Hughey went about the work of moving all these pieces into a tray and into cups. “Yum!” he said, which gave Kinsley the idea to taste the ice! The cold ice made her smile when it touched her tongue. Taste. Touch. Sound. Ice is a wonderful thing to investigate fully and I can’t wait to see where the friends exploration takes them and their ice tomorrow…
BabblingKids – Nov 3/20

Pumpkins and Tee
Landmark #3 (Exercise Senses Daily)
Compass ELC’s Timbernook-Peterborough program has been gathering with their Tiny Ones program in Jackson Park. Today, they were explored the sensory activity of hammering golf tees into pumpkins. The children challenged their upper body and fine motor strength & coordination skills as they worked to lift the hammer and hit the golf tees. They also used their olfactory (small), gustatory (taste), tactile (touch), and proprioceptive senses as they explored the pumpkins in different ways!
Compass ELC TimberNook Peterborough – Nov 3/20

Wonderful Leaves
Landmark #8 (Nature Art Weekly)
As we ventured down the path we collected wonderful oak, birch and maple leaves. We added some extra yarn and sticks to create beautiful nature kites, as inspired by Pathway! This craft gave us a chance to practice our tying and knotting, while offering us an opportunity to connect with the wind-who we absolutely adore and always listen to as it rustles the trees or dances in our hair. Running and racing with our kites flying behind us was a wonderful way to connect with our space in a new, beautiful way.
BabblingKids – Nov 6/20

Make your Mark!
Landmark #8 (Nature Art Weekly)
Our nature craft today led us to the trail where we found moss and leaves which we brought back to our art table to stamp and press
BabblingKids – Oct 27/20

Crunching tasty treats!
Landmark #2 (Animal Friends Monthly)
Today we eagerly used our field guide to identify leaves, birds, and seeds! The children raced to their findings excitedly, reflecting on what they found using both descriptions and scientific knowledge. “There’s a maple leaf!” said B. “Let’s listen for the birds, not look, only listen.” she added. This book is offering us daily opportunities to learn about our world, use our senses and develop a love of the land.
BabblingKids – Oct 26/20

Love of Land
Landmark #7 (Books, Songs, Games Weekly)
Today we eagerly used our field guide to identify leaves, birds, and seeds! The children raced to their findings excitedly, reflecting on what they found using both descriptions and scientific knowledge. “There’s a maple leaf!” said B. “Let’s listen for the birds, not look, only listen.” she added. This book is offering us daily opportunities to learn about our world, use our senses and develop a love of the land.
BabblingKids – Oct 26/20

Cat Tail Discoveries
Landmark #3 (Exercise Senses Daily)
ANOTHER rainy day? This dreary weather makes every day look the same-I’m so grateful for these friends as their wonderful ideas make every day a brand new adventure! They are always sure to find a new place to explore or a new way to be in their favourite spaces. Today we tossed rocks into a lovely little stream we found along our journey. Mollie delighted us with her exuberant splashing and jumping. Cat tails were a wonderful discovery! Floating, flying, dancing in the wind. We wished we could move in the breeze as freely as these tiny fluffs…
BabblingKids – Oct 26/20

A slug, SLUGS!
Landmark #5 (Garden/Take Care of Animals)
While playing in our own yard the children began exploring in our loose wood pile for constructing. They discovered a long piece that was laying near the garden and flipped it over yelling loud for everyone “A slug, slugs!” Many children joined in with their educator for a closer look. The children observed very intently, some even reaching out to see how they felt beneath their finger tips. They were all so engaged in watching how the slugs moved along the wood or showed deep concern as they fell off the wood onto the ground. There were so many slugs on this wood piece which supported some great conversations.
CELC Peterborough – Oct 8/20

Exploring Freely!
Landmark #3 (Exercise Senses Daily)
Our Infant Toddler group, extend their explorations beyond the fence line weekly together. A chance to explore the beauty that surrounds us and delve into exploring and discovering the world with the senses. The ability to touch, see, smell and freely explore with our hands and bodies, brings not only joy but engages the soul and grounds our bodies.
CELC Peterborough – Oct 26/20

Splish, Splash!
Landmark #1 (Explore Together Weekly)
The Preschool Group ventures over to the Mount outdoor space weekly. They enjoy exploring all the natural elements, wooden structures for climbing and big body movement, and investigating in the trees and gardens. This community space brings so much joy to all and feel so fortunate to have this accessible to us.
CELC Peterborough – Oct 23/20

The Long Grass
Landmark #1 (Explore Together Weekly)
The golden of our field has been replaced with endless amounts of fluffy seeds, which explode like our laughter as we move through the long grass. How magnificent to have watched this wild place transform over the season. We pick up the few ripe apples that are left on the ground, tasting autumn as the juice drips down our chins. We run and laugh and race with Mollie! What a joyful time to be together with sunlight dancing on our cheeks.
BabblingKids – Oct 14/20

The Long Journey
Landmark #1 (Explore Together Weekly)
It was a long journey to our jumping rock, one that was led completely by the geography and direction skills of our friends. These pals are learning so much about how to orient themselves in the world as they visit the same places day after day, taking turns leading the way. There is so much to see and feel, smell and hear as we travel together. The branches held onto tiny droplets which they sprinkled on our heads when we grabbed onto the trees around us. It warmed my heart to watch H hold a tree branch for A to pass by-what a considerate way of being. The play of the forest today consisted of so much turn taking and lots of testing how far we could jump…what a great extension of our puddle jumping from earlier in the morning!
BabblingKids – Oct 19/20

Wild Spaces and Perseverance
Landmark #6 (Play In Nature a Full Hour)
The friends climbed a steep “cliff” today at the side of the path, which was wildly challenging. It was so fun to slide down this muddy incline, even when that wasn’t the initial intention of the explorer. The cliff climbing I watched really demonstrated how resilient these friends are, and how exploring our natural world can contribute to a sense of perseverance and problem solving. Even when the friends “failed” at their goal of reaching the top of the hill, they persisted and tried again-all with a spirit of positivity and lots of respectful energy.
BabblingKids – Oct 21/20

Drenched with Happiness
Landmark #3 (Exercise Senses Daily)
Our adventure today left us drenched and wind kissed-but the friends didn’t mind one bit! I was amazed that the friends were eager and engaged even in the stormiest of moments-we enjoyed the whole morning outside as per usual, despite the wet! Catching leaves, climbing mountains to see new perspectives, following streams of water down the path…”The world looks beautiful!” said Brookey, and I agreed! The rain made the colors around us stand out even more, and gave our world a glossy finish. How wonderful that these friends appreciate every kind of weather!
BabblingKids – Oct 21/20

Run Wild!
Landmark #1 (Explore Together Weekly)
I loved our afternoon walk…we listened to the water, found coyote poop, made beautiful marks on the path, ran wildly in the wind, found a tiny hole (we wondered whose home this cozy corner of earth belonged too..) and listened to the chickadees!
BabblingKids – Oct 22/20

Endless Adventure!
Landmark #4 (Favourite Place Weekly)
The discoveries around us on our trail and in our first are endless! These little feet have become stronger and more assured in the woods. Annika made herself a new path in the brush. We investigated a decomposing log, picking it apart bit by bit to discover what lived beneath the surface of the dark, mossy, slimy bark. “Bugs live here!” said Brookey. We found so many colors, tried to catch leaves as they fell and examined a fuzzy caterpillar too!
BabblingKids – Oct 7/20

Rainy Exploration!
Landmark #1 (Explore Together Weekly)
The rain spattered our play and the wind was wild! This weather didn’t interfere with our fun though, and our climbing feet were eager and our minds were curious.
BabblingKids – Oct 7/20

Picking Primrose
Landmark #6 (Play In Nature)
Pick a primrose and it smells like summer. Like joy. Like freedom. Run like the wind and listen as the breeze tells us stories. Look for the birds and listen to the rustles and calls they make as they chat in the trees. Offer a hand up and a snuggle to a fallen babe. Find a turtle and watch it wonder as it scurried to the swamp.
BabblingKids – Aug 17/20

Explore Your Path
Landmark #3 (Exercise Senses Everyday)
Running down the path using our senses to explore this familiar place. We smell flowers, most of which we know the names of. We collect tiny rock treasures and let grasshoppers and butterflies lead the way in front of us. As we explore we are as wild as the tall grass swaying in the wind.
BabblingKids – Aug 19/20

Dancing in the Breeze
Landmark #8 (Nature Art)
Gardenside, exploring watercolour, we wait for the rain. Quietly we watch the tiny bees pollinate, making their offering to our garden and earth. We love seeing the blooms here change and grow. So many colors. Dancing in the breeze.
BabblingKids – July 22/20

Sprawling Vines
Landmark #5 (Garden/Care for Animal)
Our garden is bursting with life! Today we harvested a giant zucchini that had been hiding from us beneath large, sprawling vines. The children have counted at least 10 cucumbers starting to grow! The dill and cilantro smell so good. We also found a swallowtail butterfly, many grasshoppers, and waved hello to our neighbourhood mourning dove Lily as we weeded and picked rocks. What a perfect day in the garden!
BabblingKids – July 27/20

Free Play
Landmark #3 (Exercise the Senses Every Day)
All the wonders and beauties of free play were illustrated so perfectly today as the children danced their way right to fresh mud! The rain yesterday was a blessing to our garden and the children found the mud to be another exciting offering from the downpour. Today the sun shone and offered the perfect environment to build with thick, sticky clay.
BabblingKids – July 20/20