Young Children’s Participation in a Nature-based Program: Impacts of NATURKIND Program on Young Children’s Development

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a nature-based learning program for youngchildren titled NaturKind. The main goal of the NaturKind program was to facilitateyoung children’s active interaction with animals. Through the interactions, youngchildren participating in the program are expected to develop skills in areas such asobservation, peer collaboration, and communication. For the evaluation of program,15 children were recruited from two preschools in U.S. Results indicate that children’scomfort in interaction with animals, knowledge in animal care, motivation inlearning, and social and emotional development increased significantly after participatingin the program. Based upon the results of this study, implications and suggestionswere made for the future of nature-based program for young children.