Capstone Project in Outdoor Play-Based Practice

Action research is a participatory process concerned with developing practical knowledge, and it seeks to bring together action, reflection, theory, practice, and collaboration together in the pursuit of practical solutions for real-life challenges. As a culminating learning experience, the capstone project immerses students in an intensive exploration of outdoor play-based action research within the context of early learning. Students negotiate the intricacies of fostering the rooted principles of the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play's National Framework in their work with children and families in the outdoors. Students embark on a journey, intertwined with the outdoor world, where they explore the multifaceted dimensions of meaningful connections, from community building to spiritual appreciation. Students are encouraged to engage through a culturally responsive lens, honouring Indigenous knowledge and embracing anti-colonial and anti-racist practices. Through a process of collaborative inquiry and reflective practice, students identify, research, and implement a practical initiative within their own professional context.