Nature is a key environment for the holistic development of children, as it fosters their curiosity, imagination, and desire to learn. Direct contact with nature, especially in early childhood, allows children to develop their first concepts of plants, animals, and ecosystems through play, exploration, and observation. Educational activities in a natural environment can enhance their understanding of natural processes and foster respect and love for nature.
The aim of this research was to examine how science-related activities in the forest influence the scientific knowledge of children aged five to six, with a focus on forest undergrowth, forest floor animals, and tree leaves.
The study was conducted on a sample of 21 children aged five to six from the Medo Kindergarten unit. We designed three sets of activities that included learning about forest undergrowth and lichens, forest floor animals, and tree leaves. Through play and exploration in the natural environment, the children learned to identify plants, small animals, and their characteristics. Data collection involved an initial test conducted before the activities, a final test immediately after the activities, and a delayed final test 20 days later. The children's knowledge was analyzed quantitatively and presented in graphical form.
The research results showed that children's initial understanding was often incomplete or incorrect, partly due to media influence and preconceived notions. For example, children often believed that forest floor animals were dangerous or mistook ferns for spruce trees. After the activities, the children acquired accurate knowledge, particularly about small forest floor animals.
The findings highlight the importance of learning through direct experiences in a natural environment. Science-related activities in the forest enable children to develop specific and expert knowledge, which should be reinforced through regular activities in nature. In kindergarten, these topics are often insufficiently addressed, leading to a lack of knowledge acquisition among children.
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