The Importance of Contact with Nature for the Holistic Development of Children in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

Objective: This research is part of an ongoing project by the Research Group "Integration of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering, and Mathematics in Education" from the Professional Master's Program in Education at UNASP. The theme addresses the importance of children, especially those in Early Childhood Education, having contact with nature, and the growing urbanization that reduces these interactions, resulting in a certain disconnection from the natural environment. It aims to understand how the literature addresses the development of children in early childhood based on their contact with nature.

Methodology/Approach: The research approach is qualitative, and the methodology used is based on the PRISMA method, "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (Page, 2021), for an integrative literature review. The purpose of this method is to identify, through descriptors, the current state of research, as well as to perceive possible gaps that may guide future studies.

Results: The results indicate that the literature points to contact with nature as essential for the holistic development of children, mainly because interaction with natural environments improves physical and mental health, promotes emotional well-being, stimulates creativity, reduces stress, and enhances quality of life and social skills.

Conclusions: It is concluded that the set of analyzed studies establishes interaction with nature as a necessity and a central pedagogical component for child development and Early Childhood Education, with multiple practical possibilities. Therefore, there is a need for specific training on nature-based pedagogical practices so that teachers can envision more possibilities for this integration.