Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment
Children require very little input from early childhood educators to discover and enjoy nature play. Young children are born with an affinity for nature. Babies will reach out compulsively to snatch overhanging leaves, and preschool children will build incredible structures from sand, water and sticks.
Children’s interests and nature play
The Interest Forest is an online programming tool for Australian early childhood educators. We have researched hundreds of children's interests and linked them to the EYLF. The key interest topic associated with learning outcome 2.4 is nature play, which covers all aspects of environmental education.
EYLF 2.4 is more than children enjoying the outdoors, but also taking responsibility for the world they live in. Young children can develop knowledge and good habits that will last them a lifetime. It's never too early for children to become advocates for the big issues, like:
Explore the EYLF
Explore other areas of Learning Outcome 2, Children are connected to their world.
Explore all the EYLF Learning Outcomes, with links to children's interest topics, on The Interest Forest.