Early Childhood Teachers’ Support of Children’s Play in Nature-Based Outdoor Spaces—A Systematic Review

Tor Mauritz Smedsrud; Rasmus Kleppe; Ragnhild Lenes; Thomas Moser

doi:10.3390/educsci14010013

journal article Open Access Dec 22, 2023

Early Childhood Teachers’ Support of Children’s Play in Nature-Based Outdoor Spaces—A Systematic Review

Tor Mauritz Smedsrud

Rasmus Kleppe

Ragnhild Lenes Thomas Moser

Education Sciences Vol. 14 No. 1 pp. 13 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/educsci14010013

Abstract

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) places value and benefits on children’s play in nature-based outdoor spaces. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding teachers’ support of play in environments with rugged terrains and natural materials. Therefore, this systematic review aims to locate, present, and discuss research literature on how teachers in ECEC settings can support children’s play in nature-based outdoor spaces. According to the review, teachers’ support of children’s play was described in the literature as encouraging children’s free and unstructured play through facilitating actions addressing the children’s perspectives and the opportunities offered by the physical environment. Furthermore, teacher support was also described as teacher-led and teacher-guided interactions where teachers and children communicate or collaborate in playful situations. Differences and overlapping elements of types of teacher support are discussed, and implications for researchers, practitioners, and ECEC teacher education are provided.

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Details

Published: Dec 22, 2023
Vol/Issue: 14(1)
Pages: 13
License: View

Authors

T

Tor Mauritz Smedsrud

Kanvas Foundation, 0179 Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Centre for Learning Environment and Behavioral Research in Education, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway

R

Rasmus Kleppe

Kanvas Foundation, 0179 Oslo, Norway; College of Early Childhood Education, Queen Maud University College, 7044 Trondheim, Norway

R

Ragnhild Lenes

Norwegian Centre for Learning Environment and Behavioral Research in Education, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway

T

Thomas Moser

Norwegian Centre for Learning Environment and Behavioral Research in Education, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway

Funding

Research Council of Norway Award: 333244

Kanvas Foundation, Norwegian organization Award: 333244

Cite This Article

Tor Mauritz Smedsrud, Rasmus Kleppe, Ragnhild Lenes, et al. (2023). Early Childhood Teachers’ Support of Children’s Play in Nature-Based Outdoor Spaces—A Systematic Review. Education Sciences, 14(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14010013

Early Childhood Teachers’ Support of Children’s Play in Nature-Based Outdoor Spaces—A Systematic Review

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