[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.43,0:00:17.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Childhood.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.75,0:00:25.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is one of just a few photos of me\Nplaying outside as a young child.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.76,0:00:30.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Growing up in the 1970s,\Npeople didn't take many photos.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.44,0:00:34.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they certainly didn't take photos\Nof children playing outside,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.82,0:00:38.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it was very common\Nfor a child to play outside.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.08,0:00:41.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.44,0:00:47.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.85,0:00:55.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My sisters and I spent endless hours\Ntransforming our backyard
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.76,0:01:00.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into a cooking-show kitchen,\Nan airport, a hair salon,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.31,0:01:03.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or some other imaginary place.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.61,0:01:08.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We would pull the contents\Nof our basement playroom outside
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.27,0:01:12.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where there was more space\Nand greater possibilities.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.28,0:01:15.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Often, our play would go\Nto the back alley,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.52,0:01:19.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or it would go down the street\Nto our neighborhood friend's house.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.20,0:01:25.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have no memory of my parents\Nbeing anywhere close by
Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.57,0:01:29.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or calling next door\Nto arrange a play date.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.66,0:01:33.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I imagine that these memories\Nsound familiar to many of you
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.98,0:01:36.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sitting in the audience today.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.54,0:01:39.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Think of yourself playing as a child.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.16,0:01:46.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now raise your hand\Nif your play took place outside.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.73,0:01:53.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Leave your hand up if your parents\Nwere nowhere in sight.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.05,0:01:54.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.67,0:01:55.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Unfortunately,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.88,0:02:02.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to far too many children today,\Nbeing outdoors is a far, foreign place.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.12,0:02:05.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kids with an interest in going outside
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.67,0:02:09.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are often guided\Nby their parents or society
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.09,0:02:13.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to stay indoors to avoid\Ndiscomfort and danger.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.38,0:02:18.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or they are distracted\Nby a wide array of electronic devices
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.74,0:02:21.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that passively entertain them.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.23,0:02:24.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,According to US research,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.73,0:02:29.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over half of preschoolers\Ndo not go outside on a daily basis
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.57,0:02:31.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with their parents.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.55,0:02:37.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This photograph of a couple\Nof preschoolers on their iPads worries me.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.79,0:02:41.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No. Actually, it scares me.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.92,0:02:46.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Research in Canada suggests\Nthat children ages six to eleven
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.21,0:02:50.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,spend seven and a half hours\Nbeing inactive every day.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.23,0:02:52.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the UK,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.26,0:02:55.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they found that over 40% of parents
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.11,0:03:00.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,don't believe that children under the age\Nof 14 should go outside unsupervised.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.47,0:03:05.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what is society doing about this?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.26,0:03:10.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to tell you today about\Nhow we developed a Nature Kindergarten
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.39,0:03:11.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in our community
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.87,0:03:15.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to connect young children with nature.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.43,0:03:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My story begins in 2010
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.60,0:03:23.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when our family took a four-month\Nsabbatical to Munich, Germany.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.78,0:03:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our son, Niko, was four at the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.48,0:03:32.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And given my enthusiasm\Nabout connecting children to the outdoors,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.89,0:03:38.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can imagine how excited\NI was to enroll him in a Waldkindergarten,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.24,0:03:40.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,forest kindergarten.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.81,0:03:44.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Forest preschools have been\Npart of a northern European tradition
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.79,0:03:47.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for over 60 years.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.72,0:03:50.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is no bad weather,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.36,0:03:52.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,only bad clothing.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.38,0:03:56.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Send the kids outside, rain or shine.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.85,0:04:02.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Have you ever noticed\Nthat it's usually adults, not children,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.16,0:04:05.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who don't want to go\Noutside in bad weather?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.18,0:04:06.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.63,0:04:09.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Northern Europeans have long understood
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.92,0:04:13.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the benefits of taking\Nyoung children outside,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.09,0:04:18.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so they developed these programs\Nfor three- to six-year-olds.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.62,0:04:19.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Each day,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.64,0:04:24.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a trained early-childhood educator\Nwould take the children outside
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.18,0:04:27.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to learn and play in unstructured ways
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.69,0:04:31.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and often with limited adult supervision.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.33,0:04:35.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While Niko's program\Ntook place in a municipal forest,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.29,0:04:42.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these programs have also been successfully\Nestablished on farms and in city parks.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.80,0:04:48.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ironically, Niko and I spent over an hour\Ncommuting to his program -
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.63,0:04:54.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,first by bike, then by subway,\Nthen by streetcar, and eventually on foot
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.38,0:04:56.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to arrive at the forest.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.16,0:05:00.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While the children\Nin Wurzelkinder Waldkindergarten
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.52,0:05:04.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,spent part of their day\Nin and around these caravans,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.72,0:05:08.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was their daily excursion\Nto the forest or riverbank
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.76,0:05:12.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was the part\Nof the program that is unique.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.62,0:05:13.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Along the way,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.66,0:05:19.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,their educators would help them name\Nand notice berries, bugs, slugs.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.78,0:05:21.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when they got there,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.16,0:05:24.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they would sit on the forest floor\Nin a circular fashion,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.90,0:05:30.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,give thanks to nature, enjoy a snack,\Nand then they would play.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.94,0:05:34.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Occasionally, I asked\Nfor permission to participate.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.76,0:05:37.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was amazed at what I saw.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.23,0:05:42.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What a world of difference compared\Nto the co-op preschool model back home.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.38,0:05:48.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was intrigued by how young children\Nwalked one- to two-kilometer distances
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.53,0:05:50.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without complaining
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.14,0:05:53.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and often out of the sight of an adult,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.22,0:05:59.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how puddles became invitations\Nto create makeshift boats and get wet,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.21,0:06:02.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how the educators stood back
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.33,0:06:05.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and allowed the children\Nto independently struggle
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.84,0:06:09.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the physics of getting\Na stick into the ground
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.12,0:06:11.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make a goalpost for soccer.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.73,0:06:15.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I appreciated the care and detail
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.65,0:06:19.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that went into making crafts\Nout of natural objects,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.10,0:06:21.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rather than paper and glitter,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.39,0:06:26.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how the change of seasons\Nwere celebrated through song and dance.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.78,0:06:30.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was shocked by the risks that were taken
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.62,0:06:35.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when young children were allowed to swim\Nin the fast-flowing Isar River,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.42,0:06:39.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when they tied ropes around trees,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.04,0:06:43.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the children would traverse\Nup and down the hillside in the dirt,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.25,0:06:50.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when four-year-olds, my son included,\Nwere given sharp knives
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.05,0:06:52.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that they can whittle sticks
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.26,0:06:56.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to be able to roast\Na sausage over an open flame.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.10,0:07:00.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Risk," it turns out,\Nis not a four-letter word
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.85,0:07:03.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to German parents and educators.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.48,0:07:06.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is a vehicle to independence.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.53,0:07:10.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I wasn't participating\Nin Niko's program,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.32,0:07:14.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I took that streetcar\Na few stops further along,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.06,0:07:19.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I sat in a cafe, and I leisurely read\Na book or the newspaper.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.96,0:07:23.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While this was initially\Nself-indulgent bliss
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.39,0:07:26.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a full-time working mom\Non sabbatical,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.07,0:07:31.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the novelty ended, and I became restless\Nto become productive.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.05,0:07:34.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am German after all.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.97,0:07:37.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.43,0:07:43.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I shared my woes of non-productivity\Nwith my remotely sympathetic spouse.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.96,0:07:49.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it is he who I should credit\Nwith the idea of a Nature Kindergarten
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.89,0:07:52.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because he shifted my thinking,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.00,0:07:56.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and my principled mind\Nstarted turning over new ideas.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.82,0:07:58.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By the time we returned to Canada,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.85,0:08:02.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had not only experienced\Nforest preschools firsthand,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.44,0:08:04.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I'd also read a few books,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.46,0:08:07.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I talked to several\Nof Niko's educators.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.84,0:08:12.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As the person responsible for\Nthe district's curriculum and programs,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.96,0:08:19.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was well positioned to pitch the idea\Nof transplanting a Nature Kindergarten
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.10,0:08:21.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a school district in British Columbia.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.48,0:08:26.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My supervisor trusted in my capacity\Nto start a new program,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.69,0:08:29.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I knew where to find collaborators.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.02,0:08:33.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Early-childhood professor Enid Elliot
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.68,0:08:37.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was my first and\Nmost critical collaborator.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.24,0:08:40.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over a course of two years,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.01,0:08:44.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Enid and I gathered\Na community of individuals
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.32,0:08:46.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from a wide variety of backgrounds
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.96,0:08:50.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who were generous\Nwith their ideas and their time.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.66,0:08:56.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We all believed in the value\Nof our own time spent outside
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.21,0:08:57.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as young children,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.81,0:09:00.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the importance of play,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.02,0:09:05.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the need to respond to the factors\Nthat were keeping children indoors today.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.07,0:09:09.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Together, we envisioned\Na kindergarten program
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.54,0:09:14.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at a school that was adjacent\Nto a forest and a lagoon.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.51,0:09:20.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we envisioned children going outside\Nfor two and a half hours every morning,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.27,0:09:22.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,regardless of the weather.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.11,0:09:26.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They would follow the mandated\Nkindergarten curriculum
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.26,0:09:30.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,outside in the morning\Nand indoors in the afternoon.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.17,0:09:35.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We hoped that nature\Nwould become their third teacher,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.33,0:09:38.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that their mental\Nand physical health would improve,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.41,0:09:42.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they would become\Nstewards of the environment,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.29,0:09:46.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that they would learn\Nthe Aboriginal ways of knowing
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.43,0:09:48.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the First Nations people.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.81,0:09:56.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Meet Lisa and Erin, kindergarten teacher\Nand early-childhood educator.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.91,0:10:00.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Together, they took the idea\Nof a Nature Kindergarten
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.44,0:10:03.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and transformed it into practice.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.83,0:10:09.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Observing great teaching\Nleaves me feeling charged up and hopeful.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:09.75,0:10:13.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Spending a morning with Lisa,\NErin, and their students
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.61,0:10:17.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,always leaves me\Nwith this energized feeling.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.73,0:10:23.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Each day, they go outside,\Nand they create a learning environment
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.02,0:10:27.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that develops organically according to\Nwhat the kids are interested in
Dialogue: 0,0:10:27.20,0:10:31.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the unknown wonders\Nof the natural world.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.12,0:10:38.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Through self-reflection, collaboration,\Nand the occasional frustrated tear,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.09,0:10:41.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they move their educational\Npractice forward.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.36,0:10:46.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To date, 65 children\Nhave completed our program.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.03,0:10:48.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am pleased to tell you
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.12,0:10:53.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we have hardly used\Nour risk-management plan.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.01,0:10:57.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No child has ever been lost,\Nendangered by wildlife,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.20,0:10:59.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or seriously injured.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.02,0:11:00.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Phew.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.04,0:11:01.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.06,0:11:03.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Parents have overwhelmingly reported
Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.62,0:11:06.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the program has exceeded\Ntheir expectations.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.30,0:11:10.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when researchers\Ncompared the Nature Kindergarten
Dialogue: 0,0:11:10.83,0:11:13.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a regular kindergarten class,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.63,0:11:18.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they found significantly\Ngreater gains in four areas.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.59,0:11:24.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Those four areas were locomotor skills,\Nassertiveness, cooperation,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.49,0:11:26.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and self-control.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.60,0:11:29.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So let's go through them one by one.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:29.35,0:11:31.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Locomotor skills.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.67,0:11:35.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This log in the background\Nof the photograph
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.43,0:11:40.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is about 20 feet long, six inches wide,\Nand about five feet off the ground.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.00,0:11:42.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Last year,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.15,0:11:46.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it sat in the Royal Roads Forest\Nand got noticed by our students.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.80,0:11:50.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At first, they hung off of it,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.01,0:11:52.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then they bummed along it,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.09,0:11:54.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then they crawled along it,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.18,0:11:56.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and eventually - you guessed it -
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.59,0:12:01.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they walked across\Nthis very long and skinny log.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.33,0:12:03.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fortunately,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.37,0:12:08.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there were no concerned playground\Nlicensing officers anywhere close by.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.67,0:12:10.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.88,0:12:16.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We need to empower young children\Nto take age-appropriate risks
Dialogue: 0,0:12:16.19,0:12:17.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on their own.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.43,0:12:23.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know that by doing so, they will lead\Nhealthier and safer lives as young adults.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:25.52,0:12:30.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These logs provide otherwise clumsy\Nand uncoordinated children
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.58,0:12:34.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the ability to prove themselves\Nto be expert climbers.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:35.55,0:12:39.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Picture Nature Kindergarten children\Nmoving and playing
Dialogue: 0,0:12:39.26,0:12:42.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for two and a half hours every morning,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.17,0:12:44.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you won't be surprised to learn
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.44,0:12:50.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they improve their strength\Nand agility to run, hop, and climb.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.94,0:12:53.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Assertiveness.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:54.34,0:12:55.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every day last year,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.73,0:12:58.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the class walked past\Na couple of anthills.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:59.01,0:13:01.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The children became connected to the ants
Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.55,0:13:06.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as they do to most living things\Nin "their" forest."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:07.47,0:13:08.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As the year went along,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.66,0:13:13.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they noticed that people were throwing\Nsticks and rocks on the anthills,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.04,0:13:15.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,causing them to get damaged.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.59,0:13:19.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The children identified themselves\Nas the ants' caretakers,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.58,0:13:22.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they decided to voice their opinions.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:23.04,0:13:26.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You can't step on the anthills!\NThey're part of nature!"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.86,0:13:29.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"We need to take care of them!"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.47,0:13:32.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Ants help pollinate flowers!"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.84,0:13:37.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they got together as a group,\Nand they made signs and posters,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.67,0:13:41.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they taught others\Nhow to take care of the ants.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.80,0:13:45.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Lucky ants -
Dialogue: 0,0:13:45.53,0:13:48.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,four- and five-year-olds\Ntaking care of them,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:48.75,0:13:51.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not squashing them with their boots.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.12,0:13:53.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cooperation.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.32,0:13:58.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The children soon learn\Nthat staying safe and happy in the forest
Dialogue: 0,0:13:58.06,0:14:01.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,means cooperating\Nand caring for each other.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.72,0:14:04.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cooperation is a team effort.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:05.42,0:14:09.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Help! This log is too heavy for me!"
Dialogue: 0,0:14:10.34,0:14:11.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ava's friends rush over,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:11.76,0:14:14.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they help her carry\Nthe branch down the path.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:15.29,0:14:20.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You have to walk\None, two, one, two, one, two!"
Dialogue: 0,0:14:20.67,0:14:24.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ava's more confident friend\NEli offers up.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:24.43,0:14:28.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And soon, their classmates\Nstart walking at a similar speed.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:29.51,0:14:33.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"My arm is getting sore.\NWhen can we switch?"
Dialogue: 0,0:14:34.55,0:14:39.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You have to keep going!"\Nyells Zoe from the back of the log.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:39.26,0:14:43.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No adults - just kids organizing kids.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:45.62,0:14:47.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Self-control.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:47.43,0:14:49.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Using sticks, rocks, and dirt,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:50.12,0:14:53.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the children in the Nature Kindergarten\Nlearn to focus themselves
Dialogue: 0,0:14:53.97,0:14:56.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,during listening times in the forest.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:57.83,0:15:01.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Being outdoors in the wide, open spaces
Dialogue: 0,0:15:02.15,0:15:05.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,makes it easy to accept noises and actions
Dialogue: 0,0:15:05.40,0:15:09.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that may be considered too loud\Nor destructive indoors.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:10.23,0:15:14.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the Nature Kindergarten children\Nrealize that you can bark like a dog,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:14.72,0:15:17.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or you can dig a hole\Nnext to your classmate,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:17.61,0:15:21.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and no one will be annoyed\Nwith your unconventional ways.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:23.06,0:15:24.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We did it.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:24.37,0:15:30.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We transplanted a forest preschool\Nto a school district in British Columbia.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:30.76,0:15:35.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What we didn't anticipate is how\Nthe interest in this idea would grow.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:36.32,0:15:40.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Nature Kindergarten\Nwas at the front end of a wave of interest
Dialogue: 0,0:15:40.69,0:15:44.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in outdoor programs for young children.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:44.38,0:15:49.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are now over 20 programs\Nlike this across the province,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:49.11,0:15:53.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with several examples\Nin different school districts.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:53.13,0:15:55.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:16:02.42,0:16:04.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can't do this overnight,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:04.75,0:16:07.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so be thoughtful in your process
Dialogue: 0,0:16:07.05,0:16:10.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and generous in how you\Nsupport your educators.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:11.91,0:16:16.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every generation is different,\Nbut nature is our constant.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:17.22,0:16:23.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Being outside as a young child\Nhelped define who I am today,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:23.16,0:16:26.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what I value, and how I spend my time.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:26.86,0:16:31.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I hope that my own children,\Nnieces and nephews,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:31.47,0:16:33.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the children who I educate
Dialogue: 0,0:16:33.68,0:16:36.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,will develop this same\Nconnection to nature.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:37.71,0:16:43.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The future of our planet\Ndepends on raising children
Dialogue: 0,0:16:43.04,0:16:46.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who have reasons to protect\Nthe world they live in.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:46.69,0:16:49.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)