Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
1EC607Nature Education in Early Childhood3+0+03721.10.2026
Course Details
Language of Instruction Turkish
Level of Course Unit Doctorate's Degree
Department / Program Preschool Education (PhD)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course The general aim of this subject is to enable prospective teachers to expand their knowledge of nature in the context of early childhood education and to foster their commitment to the development of such education. It seeks to equip them to use educational activities as effective teaching methods for supporting and assessing child development; to help them internalize concepts, methods, and techniques related to nature; and to enable them to understand the characteristics of a nature-based educational approach and gain both national and global perspectives on the importance and necessity of such education. Furthermore, the course covers concepts related to ecology, environmental issues, and environmental ethics; the contributions of environmental education; practical applications in the field; and the role of the individual within environmental education.
Course Content This course covers the interaction between children and nature during early childhood, nature-based educational approaches, the theoretical foundations of nature education, and its developmental significance in the preschool period. The course content addresses nature awareness, ecological literacy, sustainability, environmental ethics, and environmental issues. Additionally, it examines various educational approaches, such as nature education practices in formal education, scientific process skills in nature education, Forest Pedagogy, and outdoor learning models. Key components of the course include the concepts of biophilia, biophobia, and biomimicry; the relationship between nature, children, and philosophy (P4C); creativity in nature; the use of school gardens as learning environments; and environmental awareness and disaster education. The process also incorporates the roles of adults, families, and teachers in fostering nature and environmental sensitivity, as well as holistic assessment and assignment presentations.
Course Methods and Techniques Q&A, brainstorming, academic work, presentation
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator Prof.Dr. Nilüfer Darıca https://profil.hku.edu.tr/akademik/nilufer-darica/ nilufer.darica@hku.edu.tr
Name of Lecturers Prof.Dr. Nilüfer Darıca https://profil.hku.edu.tr/akademik/nilufer-darica/ nilufer.darica@hku.edu.tr
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Pamuk, N. D. (2021). Environmental Education and Sustainability in Early Childhood. Ankara: Anı Publishing.
Darıca, N., & Mercan, Z. (2022). Nature Education in Early Childhood. Ankara: Eğiten Kitap.
Course Notes There are no prerequisites.

Course Category
Field %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Final examination 1 % 100
Total
1
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 14 3 42
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 14 5 70
Presentation 1 38 38
Final examination 1 60 60
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 7 210

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Can provide information on definitions and theoretical approaches regarding nature and education in nature.
2 Understands the importance of nature-based education and the benefits it offers to preschool-aged children; can explain the factors influencing developmental areas associated with nature-based education; and can offer recommendations to adults.
3 Can provide examples of nature education methods, techniques, and materials used in early childhood; can select appropriate materials for nature activities aimed at children and design such activities.
4 Can explain the importance of creativity and education in nature during early childhood.
5 Can articulate theories and practices regarding creativity and nature-based education in early childhood.
6 They can design and implement programs that foster children ` s creative expression skills and aesthetic awareness through nature-based activities, and develop individual and group projects.
7 They can grasp how to apply the knowledge gained during the course in a professional context.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Child-Nature Interaction You should come to class having done the reading. Louv, R. (2010). The Last Child in the Woods. (Trans. C. Temürcü). Ankara: TÜBİTAK Publications.Atasoy, E. (2006). Education for the environment: Child-nature interaction. Bursa: Ezgi Kitabevi.
2 What Is Nature-Based Education? You should come to class having done the reading. Darıca, N., & Mercan, Z. (2022). Nature Education in Early Childhood. Ankara: Eğiten Kitap.Wilson, R. (2012). Nature and young children: Encouraging creative play and learning in natural environments. Abingdon: Routledge.
3 The Concept of Nature and Nature Education, Foundations of Nature Education You should come to class having done the reading. Darıca, N., & Mercan, Z. (2022). Nature Education in Early Childhood. Ankara: Eğiten Kitap.Kansu, N. (2012). My Child and I in Nature. Ankara: Elma Publishing.
4 Nature Awareness and Sustainability You should come to class having done the reading. Pamuk, N. D. (2021). Environmental Education and Sustainability in Early Childhood. Ankara: Anı Publishing.Tokcan, H., & Topkaya, Y. (Eds.). (2021). Environmental education. Ankara: Pegem Akademi Publishing.
5 Nature Education in Formal Schooling You should come to class having done the reading. Nelson, E. M. (2012). Cultivating outdoor classrooms: Designing and implementing child- centered learning environments. St. Paul: Redleaf Press.Warden, C. (2012). Nature kindergartens and forest school. Perthshire: Mindstretchers.
6 Scientific Process Skills and Content Domains in Nature Education You should come to class having done the reading. Darıca, N., & Mercan, Z. (2022). Nature Education in Early Childhood. Ankara: Eğiten Kitap.Atasoy, E. (2006). Education for the environment: Child-nature interaction. Bursa: Ezgi Kitabevi.
7 Education in Nature Through Various Educational Approaches You should come to class having done the reading. Uysal Yılmaz, S., & Tuncay Coşkun, T. (2020). Forest Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education. Ankara: Nobel Publishing.Knight, S. (2013). Forest school and outdoor learning in the early years. London: SAGE.
8 Biophilia, Biophobia, and Biomimicry You should come to class having done the reading. Louv, R. (2010). The Last Child in the Woods. (Trans. C. Temürcü). Ankara: TÜBİTAK Publications.Wilson, R. (2012). Nature and young children: Encouraging creative play and learning in natural environments. Abingdon: Routledge.
9 Nature, Children, and Philosophy (P4C) You should come to class having done the reading. Darıca, N., & Mercan, Z. (2022). Nature Education in Early Childhood. Ankara: Eğiten Kitap.Aktan, D. Z. (2018). Creativity and its Development in Preschool Education. Ankara: Eğiten Book.
10 Nature and Creativity You should come to class having done the reading. Aktan, D. Z. (2018). Creativity and its Development in Preschool Education. Ankara: Eğiten Book.Wilson, R. (2012). Nature and young children: Encouraging creative play and learning in natural environments. Abingdon: Routledge.
11 The Importance of School Gardens in Nature-Based Education You should come to class having done the reading. Nelson, E. M. (2012). Cultivating outdoor classrooms: Designing and implementing child- centered learning environments. St. Paul: Redleaf Press.Warden, C. (2012). Nature kindergartens and forest school. Perthshire: Mindstretchers.
12 Environmental Awareness and Disaster Education You should come to class having done the reading. Tokcan, H., & Topkaya, Y. (Eds.). (2021). Environmental education. Ankara: Pegem Akademi Publishing.Pamuk, N. D. (2021). Environmental Education and Sustainability in Early Childhood. Ankara: Anı Publishing.
13 The Role of Adults in Developing Sensitivity Toward Nature and the Environment You should come to class having done the reading. Kansu, N. (2012). My Child and I in Nature. Ankara: Elma Publishing.Louv, R. (2010). The Last Child in the Woods. (Trans. C. Temürcü). Ankara: TÜBİTAK Publications.
14 Course Evaluation and Assignment Presentations You should come to class having done the reading. All course teaching materials, student seminar presentations, and group reports prepared.

 
Sustainable Development Goals
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11 P12 P13 P14 P15 P16 P17 P18
C1 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 4 2 3 1 4 3 3
C2 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 4 4 3 4 1 4 4 4
C3 4 5 4 5 5 5 4 4 4 2 4 5 3 4 1 4 4 3
C4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 3 4 2 3 1 4 3 3
C5 5 5 4 5 5 4 4 4 4 2 4 5 3 4 1 4 4 3
C6 4 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 5 3 5 5 3 4 1 5 4 4
C7 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 5 4 3 4 1 4 5 4

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant