Outdoor and Nature Play in Early Childhood Education, 1st edition

Published by Pearson Canada (May 15, 2018) © 2024
  • Beverlie Dietze
  • Diane Kashin

Title overview

Outdoor and Nature Play in Early Childhood Education is timely because of the new national and international research that reinforces the importance of outdoor play in the lives of children–for their health, wellness, dispositions, and connectedness to their childhood space and place. Outdoor play is so important to children’s daily living that we have written this book to present the core concepts about outdoor play that will support teachers in collectively examining outdoor play within their environments and beyond.

The text is rooted in the work of well-known theorists who have made invaluable contributions to early childhood education and who advocated for children to have access to play and learning outdoors. The text situates the discussion on the benefits of outdoor play and the breadth and depth of learning that occurs during outdoor play in a Canadian and local context.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Childhood Memories A childhood memory designed to evoke thinking and reflection about the benefits and importance of outdoor play learning in and with nature.
  • Positioning Outdoor Play in the Lives of Children An introduction to the importance of children being engaged in an array of experiences that support their overall health and development.
  • Setting the Stage for Outdoor Play. Examples of how outdoor play experiences, environments, and people in the environments contribute to children’s experiences and learning opportunities.
  • On the Ground – Professional Reflections: “Why I Love Outdoor Play” Real stories from real early learning teachers to highlight professionals currently practicing in the early learning sector who think deeply and intentionally about the ideas and concepts presented.
  • Case studies that invite the reader to reflect on related questions as they situate outdoor play in various contexts.

New and updated features of this title

  • New Topic: Ambiguity of Quebec Referendum question, regionalism, Sharia law, immigrant employability, Afro-centric schools, residential schools..
  • New Topic: Socialized healthcare, Bisphenol A, alternative healthcare, physical education and childhood obesity, pet food recall.
  • New readings from Jane Jacobs, Lester B. Pearson, Russell Smith, Stephen Harper.
  • New cartoons from syndicated Canadian cartoonist Jonathan Mahood.
  • New Global Village box feature, covering topics such as microcredit, breastfeeding and IQ, Afghanistan, illegal immigration, Benazir Bhutto, French language laws.

Table of contents

  1. Introduction to Outdoor Play and Nature
  2. Historical and Philosophical Foundation for Outdoor and Nature Play
  3. Canadian and International Research on Outdoor Play
  4. Loose Parts: Using Natural and Found Materials in Outdoor and Nature Play
  5. The Relationship of Outdoor and Nature Play to Development, Health, Learning, and Thinking
  6. Outdoor Play That Involves Challenge, Adventure, and Risk
  7. Nature-based Early Learning Programs
  8. Outdoor Classrooms and Natural Playgrounds
  9. Aboriginal Learning and Outdoor Play, Nature, and the Environment
  10. Children's Outdoor Play and Environmental Sustainability
  11. Programming from a Four Season Perspective
  12. Supporting Families in Connecting Children's Play to Their Development
  13. Documentation and Assessment of Children's Outdoor Play Spaces

Author bios

Dr. Beverlie Dietze has been an educator in early childhood and adult education programs and held leadership positions in several colleges and universities across Canada. She has been engaged in research projects focusing on outdoor pedagogy and has several peer-reviewed published articles and textbooks. She is a well-known speaker on early childhood topics nationally and internationally. She is a graduate of Sheridan College, the University of New Brunswick, St. Francis Xavier University, and the University of Toronto. In her leisure time, Beverlie connects with the land through gardening and exploring the natural elements of the environment and in publishing a magazine on outdoor play.

Dr. Diane Kashin is an early childhood educator and retired early childhood education professor. She has taught at both the degree and diploma level. Diane continues to work in the sector as a writer, researcher, blogger, presenter, and consultant. Diane has co-written several peer-reviewed articles and textbooks. Diane is a graduate of Seneca College, York University, and the University of Toronto. When she is not working, Diane likes to spend time playing with her grandchildren.

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