Nature and Its Influence on Children's Outdoor Play

Autor/inn/en	Dowdell, Kellie; Gray, Tonia; Malone, Karen
Titel	Nature and Its Influence on Children's Outdoor Play
Quelle	In: Australian Journal of Outdoor Education, 15 (2011) 2, S.24-35 (12 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1324-1486
Schlagwörter	Early Childhood Education; Outdoor Education; Young Children; Physical Environment; Play; Social Behavior; Child Behavior + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Early childhood; Education; Frühkindliche Bildung; Frühpädagogik; Freiluftunterricht; Frühe Kindheit; Natürliche Umwelt; Spiel; Social behaviour; Soziales Verhalten
Abstract	A growing body of literature indicates that humans need contact with nature for their wellbeing, however at the same time young children are becoming increasingly separated from the natural world as their access to the outdoors diminishes. The importance of school and prior-to-school settings in connecting children with nature has been acknowledged. This study sought to find out how opportunities to engage with nature would influence children's play and social behaviours. Two early childhood centres with contrasting outdoor environments were selected for the study, and twelve focus participants were observed over a twelve-week period in concert with interviews and field notes. The findings suggest that natural environments support children's imaginative play, the development of positive relationships and allows for the environment to become a place of learning. The authors conclude that in order to make effective use of the outdoors, early childhood centres need to provide children with access to the natural environment and teachers who support children in developing a relationship with nature. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Outdoor Council of Australia. 150 Caxton Street, Milton, Queensland 4064, Australia. Tel: +61-7-3369-9455; Fax: +61-7-3369-9355; e-mail: secretariat@outdoorcouncil.asn.au; Web site: http://www.outdoorcouncil.asn.au
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10