مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Outdoor Activities: Early Childhood Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices

Abstract :

The aim of this research was to explore early childhood education teachers’ beliefs and practices towards outdoor play. The participants were recruited from the early childhood education programs in a province within the Black Sea Region and had varying levels of training and experience. In this qualitative research, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the participants. Additionally, two focus group sessions were held. All the interviews were transcribed and then coded to obtain major themes. Results showed that the teachers had positive feelings and attitudes towards outdoor play but did not practice what they believed in. Factors including poor physical conditions of the playgrounds, crowded classrooms, ungrounded fears that children would get sick when they are exposed to cold weather, and parental resistance were given as the reasons the participants do not make room for outdoor play in their teaching.