Peer-reviewed research2017–2026 update
Bush Kinders: Building Young Children’s Relationships with the Environment
Ethnographic work in four Australian bush kinders shows how educators can observe children's play and use it to build their understanding of, and affinity with, nature.
What's new
This research took place in four bush kinders, an Australian form of nature-based early years education influenced by forest schools. Using ethnography, the authors found that young children's play-based learning offers opportunities to develop understanding of the environment. They analysed four vignettes of educator–child interactions using a US Environmental Protection Authority (2022) definition of environmental education. The vignettes illustrate how educators supported children to build an affinity with nature.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
Nature-based early childhood programmes are growing in Aotearoa. The vignettes show the role educators play in turning children's play outdoors into environmental learning.
Putting it into practice
During outdoor play sessions, observe what children are exploring and follow up with questions or resources that deepen their understanding of the natural world.
How strong is the evidence
This is a qualitative ethnography in four sites, reported through four vignettes. It is illustrative and does not measure outcomes.
What to read
The four vignettes.