The purpose of this diploma paper was to explore the influence of forest pedagogy on developing knowledge of nature and abilities of preschool children. The topic I focused on was the transformation of nature through each season changing. I researched children’s responses and their progress in knowledge, observation and understanding of seasonal changes emerging in the nature, alongside regular opportunities for play and learning within natural environments in a longer period of time.
For research, I used both qualitative and quantitative methods of exploration. For the process of data collection, I used the interview that I conducted prior to the beginning of activities and after completing the project. I adjusted the method to the development stage of children in the group. As well, I compared the answers of each child before and after the project.
The sample represented a group of 10 boys and 8 girls, of which there were 6 children aged 2, 6 children aged 3 and 6 children aged 4. From October to mid-May, we were spending time together in the nearby forest, on a meadow, beside a stream and in close proximity of a river.
I was studying the children and documented my observations. At times of children’s intuitive exploration, I left the activities run their own course. I created a variety of games which encouraged children to observe, incorporate and reflect on changes throughout the seasons.
At the beginning of the project, I realized that the children’s views on animate and inanimate nature in different seasons of the year were very diverse due to considerate age differences within the group. Older children had had some prior experiences, on the basis of which they understood certain phenomena taking place in each season. Moreover, understanding of the phrase "season" seemed very superficial, while at the beginning of the project younger children had very little experience describing the observed phenomena taking place in the nature and its changing seasons. At the time that resulted in more modest vocabulary. Children’s way of thinking about natural phenomena was associated with descriptions from books or songs, as well as some of their own experiences in which they were emotionally involved.
Regular contact with nature and experiences with given materials gave children many opportunities to play, explore, observe and learn about seasonal changes, which led to better linking of knowledge with their previous knowledge, as well as to expansion of children’s vocabulary. Through observation and identification of adaptations in the natural environment, as well as by making a visual poster which contributed to ongoing revision of experience, children in their own view founded essential features of the season and their importance in restoring and connecting with nature. In the process of attaining understanding, children developed their own game and their own way of thinking, thus strengthening their self-esteem and gaining confidence in their own abilities.
This diploma paper shows a way of establishing a unique relationship between children and the natural environment. During the project, children were left to follow their own interests and preferences. They had the opportunity to surrender to the natural rhythm, to establish a special relationship and spontaneously learn of our dependence on the natural environment.
In my diploma paper, I also emphasized the importance of the unobtrusive way of passing knowledge to children. With the help of a puppet, I offered basic educational frameworks, which were always presented in a way that encouraged children to think and discover on their own. I encouraged the children to search for their own answers and discoveries, as well as to not depend on responses and interventions from adults.
I pointed out the selected natural environments as open, simulative and as an abundant source for exploration, where children and educators can surrender to the flow of events happening around them, such as researching and discovering diverse interests together. Natural spaces do not have prior structures that would restrict children, but offer the possibility of innovative experiences. The spaces themselves became the main source of creating games, exploration and intuitive learning while allowing adults unobtrusive integration into children’s insight concerning the world around them, enabling the development of new ideas and implementation of such in to a about natural phenomena was associated with descriptions from books or songs, as well as some of their own experiences in which they were emotionally involved.
Regular contact with nature and experiences with given materials gave children many opportunities to play, explore, observe and learn about seasonal changes, which led to better linking of knowledge with their previous knowledge, as well as to expansion of children’s vocabulary. Through observation and identification of adaptations in the natural environment, as well as by making a visual poster which contributed to ongoing revision of experience, children in their own view founded essential features of the season and their importance in restoring and connecting with nature. In the process of attaining understanding, children developed their own game and their own way of thinking, thus strengthening their self-esteem and gaining confidence in their own abilities.
This diploma paper shows a way of establishing a unique relationship between children and the natural environment. During the project, children were left to follow their own interests and preferences. They had the opportunity to surrender to the natural rhythm, to establish a special relationship and spontaneously learn of our dependence on the natural environment.
In my diploma paper, I also emphasized the importance of the unobtrusive way of passing knowledge to children. With the help of a puppet, I offered basic educational frameworks, which were always presented in a way that encouraged children to think and discover on their own. I encouraged the children to search for their own answers and discoveries, as well as to not depend on responses and interventions from adults.
I pointed out the selected natural environments as open, simulative and as an abundant source for exploration, where children and educators can surrender to the flow of events happening around them, such as researching and discovering diverse interests together. Natural spaces do not have prior structures that would restrict children, but offer the possibility of innovative experiences. The spaces themselves became the main source of creating games, exploration and intuitive learning while allowing adults unobtrusive integration into children’s insight concerning the world around them, enabling the development of new ideas and implementation of such in to already existing knowledge. Upon successful completion of the project, children were more confident and more independent in their play and exploration. Knowledge of the seasons and significant events taking place in their domain improved significantly within the course of the project. Children were left to offer suggestions in leading the way to learning about the seasons, reinforcing their own thinking and bond with nature.
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