By Mamata Pandya
This paper describes a study to understand the challenges faced by childcare providers in Minnesota in providing children with nature play experiences. Nature play was defined in this study as "unstructured play in natural settings."
The study cites research to emphasise the importance of nature play for overall mental, physical and emotional development of young children, as well as fostering attitudes and values that will last through life. Despite the growing body of research regarding the importance of nature play, children are playing less overall and playing less outdoors where they can interact with nature.
The needs assessment was structured around the following questions:
- How much time do licensed childcare providers in Minnesota provide for outdoor play for their children? How much of this outdoor playtime is nature play?
- Is the amount of outdoor playtime related to access to outdoor play space and/or socio-economic status of children served?
- What motivates childcare providers to incorporate opportunities for outdoor play for their children into their schedules?
- What do childcare providers perceive as obstacles to nature play for their children?
- What type of assistance or resources do providers perceive as increasing the likelihood of providing opportunities for nature play for their children?
The results of the survey of licensed childcare providers indicate that there is a need to increase the amount of time preschool-aged children are playing outdoors, and specifically playing outdoors in natural areas. There is also a need to increase access (or perceived access) to natural areas, in particular among those providers serving primarily children of a lower socio-economic status. While respondents recognized the benefits of outdoor play (usually perceived as a playground), the benefits of outdoor play in natural settings were not always identified.
Some of the key obstacles to be addressed in future efforts to encourage nature play for preschool-aged children include: lack of access (or perceived access) to natural areas, lack of appropriate clothing, safety/liability concerns, and lack of time. Efforts to reduce obstacles may be of particular importance for providers serving children of lower socio-economic status.
Ernst, Julie Athman. 2012. Early Childhood Nature Play: A Needs Assessment of Minnesota Licensed Childcare Providers. Journal of Interpretation Research 17(1): 7-24.