A Content Analysis of Documentation of Nature Play in Early Childhood Teacher Education Program in Australia

Article

Green, Nicole C., Christopher, Vicki and Turner, Michelle. 2022. "A Content Analysis of Documentation of Nature Play in Early Childhood Teacher Education Program in Australia." Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 47 (5), pp. 15-32. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2022v47n5.2
Article Title

A Content Analysis of Documentation of Nature Play in Early Childhood Teacher Education Program in Australia

ERA Journal ID20742
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsGreen, Nicole C., Christopher, Vicki and Turner, Michelle
Journal TitleAustralian Journal of Teacher Education
Journal Citation47 (5), pp. 15-32
Article Number2
Number of Pages13
Year2022
PublisherEdith Cowan University
Place of PublicationAustralia
ISSN0313-5373
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2022v47n5.2
Web Address (URL)https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol47/iss5/2/
Abstract

This study theoretically aligns with research that purports that nature play positively contributes to sustainability stewardship. Early childhood teachers can plan for and nurture children's capabilities and dispositions for sustainability stewardship. Initial teacher education programs contribute to the professional learning of preservice early childhood teachers' perceptions regarding nature play. This article details the findings of content analysis to explore and uncover the existence of nature play in online, publicly available documents representing twenty-two early childhood teacher qualifications. In what ways is nature play evidenced in early childhood initial teacher education programs in Australia? The findings highlight potential discrepancies between the values related to nature play in the early childhood field and the content in initial teacher education programming. The article concludes with implications for teacher education programs and proposed recommendations for ongoing research.

KeywordsOutdoor play; children; perceptions; preschool; beliefs; engagement; school
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390302. Early childhood education
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Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Southern Queensland
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