ERIC Number: EJ1456845
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 53
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0272-930X
EISSN: EISSN-1535-0266
Understanding and Defining Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care Outdoor Environments: Comparing Stakeholder Perspectives
Samantha Burns; Leah Brathwaite; Anne Hepditch; Stephanie Turner; Beth Carson; Helen Bernard-Ward; Michal Perlman
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Journal of Developmental Psychology, v70 n1 Article 1 p1-53 2024
High-quality outdoor environments (OEs) are essential for young children's physical, emotional, and intellectual development. The goal of this study was to explore the attributes of high- and low-quality OEs in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings identified by different stakeholder groups. We conducted 41 focus groups/interviews comprising ECEC practitioners; policy and oversight professionals; parents; children; and equity, diversity, and inclusion specialists. Using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics, the following nine key attribute categories of high- and low-quality OEs were identified: physical space, natural elements, equipment and materials, program intent, activities, interactions, safety and maintenance, professional development, and barriers to implementation. Descriptive differences across the groups were found; notably, four stakeholder groups prioritized the environment's setup, while equity, diversity, and inclusion specialists gave equal emphasis to natural elements and programming. These findings provide clear definitions of quality for OEs in ECEC settings. This information can help guide research and policy on how to incorporate high-quality outdoor spaces into ECEC programs, recognizing the significance of OEs for children's development.
Descriptors: Early Childhood Education, Outdoor Education, Educational Quality, Physical Environment, Instructional Materials, Learning Activities, Faculty Development, Curriculum Implementation, Barriers, Young Children, Foreign Countries
Wayne State University Press. The Leonard N. Simons Building, 4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309. Tel: 800-978-7323; Fax: 313-577-6131; Web site: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/mpq/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A