Examining Nature Based Education in Early Childhood Classrooms

pi_name

RENATA GUSMAO-GARCIA WILLIAMS

pi_email

rwilliams@labschool.ucla.edu

pi_phone

310-206-0594

pi_department

UCLA Lab School

pi_title

Assistant Principal

ucla_faculty_sponsor

NICOLE MANCEVICE

other_key_personnel

Nicole Mancevice: CONNECT, UCLA Ed&IS
Christine Liboon: CONNECT, UCLA Ed&IS
Nadia Sabat Bass: CONNECT, UCLA Ed&IS
Christine Lee: CONNECT, Ed&IS

abstract

When children have regular and positive contact with nature, there are significant benefits to their cognitive, physical, emotional and social development (Chawla, 2022). Children and youth will continue to face the challenge of an environmental crisis and they can do so with more hope as they work with others to protect natural habitats and wildlife (Chawla, 2020; Chawla & Derr, 2012). This year, the UCLA Lab School will pilot the Children's Land approach, a nature-based education model. Mother Nature is considered a teacher with her “classroom.” A space of land granted to the children will allow them to play a leading role, nurture life and biodiversity with love, connect with Mother Earth, and make her their ally to generate well-being for themselves, others, and nature” (Leguía Orezzole, 2021, p. 14).

project_summary

This year, the UCLA Lab School will implement and research an approach to nature-based education, the Children's Land approach. Through teacher interviews, classroom observations and the review of curricula and classroom artifacts, this study will provide a better understanding on how the Children's Land approach is adapted at UCLA Lab School and how it complements the teaching practices already in place at the school. The study will also provide an initial understanding of student impact related to nature-based education.

goals

This research project will focus on:
- documenting and mapping how the program is incorporated within the school curricula and the initial reactions and considerations around potential program outcomes;
- how teachers implement the Children's Land approach;
- how the Children's Land approach influences classroom strategies/practices and student’s perspectives of the work;

The study will aim to answer the following two research questions:
- How do teachers interpret, adapt, and teach the Children's Land approach standards and 10-step guide?
- What, if any, changes do teachers perceive in how students think about their relationship with nature?
- What, if any, changes do teachers perceive in how students interact with nature?

benefits_of_research

Evidence shows that when children have regular and positive contact with nature, there are significant benefits to their cognitive, physical, emotional and social development (Chawla, 2022). Moreover, with the rapid change in climate, children and youth will continue to face the challenge of an environmental crisis with more hope as they work with others to protect natural habitats and wildlife (Chawla, 2020; Chawla & Derr, 2012). The approach includes a set of standards around the children’s role and relationship to Mother Earth and the land where the project takes place. The approach has been used in 10 countries to understand how the curriculum is adopted in each place. We want to better understand the Children's Land’s approach at UCLA Lab School, its standards, and step by step guide, which can complement the curricula and practices already in place at the school.

dissemination/publications

Yes. The results of the study will be shared with the Lab School community, with the partnering foundation and their program partners.

numer_of_subjects

59

selection_criteria

Number of Subjects
9 teachers and 50 students approximately

Selection Criteria
Interviews: all teachers who are implementing the Children's Land approach will be interviewed.
Observations and Documentation: The research assistants will ask teachers from the classes implementing the Children's Land approach to volunteer for observations and document collection.
Eligibility will be based upon participation in a classroom that is implementing the Children's Land approach.

methods

This research project will document and map how teachers use the Children’s Land approach in their classrooms at the UCLA Lab School. Researchers will interview the teachers that decide to use the Children’s Land approach in their classrooms. The initial interviews can help us understand what teachers plan to do with the Children’s Land approach and the potential outcomes expected. Student work, teacher lesson plans, and classroom documents related to the Children’s Land approach will be collected throughout the year from these teachers. Also, researchers will observe and record classroom interactions and conversations. At the end of the year, researchers will interview teachers on their experience using the Children’s Land approach.

Interviews: 30 minutes each, at the beginning and end of the school year

Classroom Observation: 1-3 observations that are 30-45 minutes each, three times a year, total 6.75 hours

In total for the study: 7.75 hours total per teacher participant

instruments

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instruments_other

Curricula and Classroom Artifacts

instrument_explanations

Interviews will be conducted with teachers. They will take no longer than 30 minutes and will take place twice during the school year. Interviews will ask about teachers’ experience using the Children’s Land approach.

justification_of_methods

Interviews will help understand how teachers adapt the Children’s Land Approach at the Lab School before and after.

Classroom Observation will help us to understand how teachers are guiding students through the Children’s Land’s approach standards and step by step guide.

separate_informed_consent

Following IRB, teachers will be recruited via email and a study sheet will be provided.

risk_minimization

The research does not involve greater than minimal risk.

deception_debriefing

No.

confidentiality_data_storage

Confidentiality: Teacher interviewees will choose where the interviews are conducted.
Data Storage: Study data will be electronically secured in a Box folder. Identifiable information will be removed after data is collected. Pseudonyms will be used.

relationship_prior_contact

Yes.

teachers_staff_consent

Yes.

ucla_lab_school_personnel_involved

RENATA GUSMAO-GARCIA WILLIAMS

academic_topic

Nature-based education, Early Childhood Education

information_from_ucla_lab_school_database

No.

special_requirements_at_ucla_lab_school

N/A

irb

Study - PRE#23-00632

irb_approval

In progress.

attachments

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