ERIC Number: EJ1108063
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2331-0464
EISSN: N/A
Young Children's Opportunities for Unstructured Environmental Exploration of Nature: Links to Adults' Experiences in Childhood
Laird, Shelby Gull; McFarland-Piazza, Laura; Allen, Sydnye
International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, v2 n1 p58-75 2014
Outdoor environmental education and provision of unstructured exploration of nature are often forgotten aspects of the early childhood experience. The aim of this study was to understand how adults' early experiences in nature relate to their attitudes and practices in providing such experiences for young children. This study surveyed 33 parents and early childhood educators at an Australian university-located early childhood service about their own childhood experiences in nature and their current provision of such experiences with their children. Participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of the Nature Relatedness Scale-Short Form (Nisbet et. al, 2009; Nisbet & Zelenski, 2013) and the Inclusion of Nature in Self Scale (Schultz, 2002). Questions regarding adults' knowledge and behaviour on gardening and sustainability topics were also included. Results indicate that although most participants were strongly engaged in unstructured nature experiences as children, few of them provided such experiences for their children. Implications for environmental education in early childhood settings and the home setting are discussed.
Descriptors: Learning Experience, Young Children, Environmental Education, Foreign Countries, Family Environment, Outdoor Education, Recreational Activities, Early Childhood Education, Parent Attitudes, Preschool Teachers, Parent Child Relationship, Parents, Early Experience, Questionnaires, Sustainability, Parent Teacher Cooperation, Prior Learning, Play, Child Development, Parent Influence, Parent Surveys
North American Association for Environmnental Education. 2000 P Street NW Suite 540, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-419-0412; Web site: https://naaee.org/eepro/resources/international-journal-early-childhood-environmental-education-ijecee
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A