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<p style="text-align: justify; ">Nature-based education is an educational approach that includes nature inthe education process, provides children with environmental protection andsustainability awareness, and is based on learning by doing and experiencing,and extends beyond the classroom. There are research findings in theliterature that show the positive effects of contact with nature from early yearson children's multifaceted development, especially their attention span,emotional regulation skills, and physical and academic maturity. During earlychildhood, children spend a significant part of the day in preschool educationinstitutions. Therefore, children's development is greatly affected by preschooleducation environments as well as the family environment in which theyreceive primary care. Considering the positive effects of the time childrenspend with nature on their development, the processes in which children comeinto contact with nature gain importance in early childhood education. In ourcountry, a new program called the Updated Preschool Education Program waspublished by the Ministry of National Education in 2024 and started to beimplemented in February 2024. The aim of this study is to examine theUpdated Preschool Education Program in the context of nature-basededucation practices. In this study, which was planned with the qualitativeresearch method, the document analysis technique was used. The PreschoolEducation Program published by the Ministry of National Education in 2024was selected as the data source for the study. The Program Evaluation Formdeveloped by the researcher was used to obtain the data for the study. TheProgram Evaluation Form was presented to two field experts, and the formwas finalized in line with the opinions received from the experts. The form wasestablished on two focuses: “Content (objectives, basic principles, features)”and “Design (development areas, outcomes, activity types, learning centers)”.According to the results obtained from the research; It was seen that theprogram included suggestions for nature-based education practices. However,while the suggestions in question were included in the explanations of someoutcomes; an activity type called “Out-of-School Learning” activity, whichincludes nature-based education practices, was included. It was seen thatnature and environmental education was included within the scope of the Outof-School Learning activity. In addition, the emphasis on “Outdoor Play” in thedaily plan program in the 2024 program is striking.<br></p> |
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