Investigating teacher-child interactions in a nature-based and non-nature preschool

This dissertation was driven by a need to better understand how the growing movement of nature-based education, particularly nature-based preschools, compares to more conventional approaches. This dissertation analyzed videos of preschool teaching to describe nature-based teaching practices, particularly around the outdoors as a classroom and a place for science learning. An additional goal was to compare nature-based preschools with non-nature approaches in early childhood education. This was done through two research papers using explanatory mixed methods and case studies. Both papers explore the role of physical setting (i.e., Inside, Outside, Beyond) and social setting (i.e., large group, small group, free play, routines) on teachers' interactions within the two preschools. The first paper takes a broad perspective exploring teacher language across both the nature-based and non-nature preschools⁰́₄particularly related to the use of the outdoor space. The findings suggest that context, particularly the physical setting, influenced the frequency and quality of teachers' talk directed at children. For example, when indoors, teachers at the two schools generally used similar amounts and type of talk with children (i.e., primarily statements followed by questions/prompts). Additionally, this study found that the most extensive conversations (i.e., 7 or more turns) in both schools primarily involved one teacher with few children, were initiated by children, focused on concepts, were somehow connected to the physical environment, and primarily occurred in the outdoor play area. Observations of the two schools revealed differences in the frequency and length of talk when outdoors which may relate to further differences in when in the class day outdoor time occurred, the number of classes in the outdoor play space at a given time, and the activity types which occurred. The findings from this work are important for guiding ways of richly extending the classroom in the outdoors for nature-based and non-nature based early childhood settings. The second paper provides a detailed view of the nature-based approach by analyzing four extensive science-related interactions at the nature-based preschool. The findings suggest that the physical setting, particularly areas beyond the fence, afforded many opportunities for science sense-making, using a variety of science and engineering practices and cross-cutting concepts. This sense-making happened through direct experiences with a variety of phenomena, particularly life science, that children noticed themselves. Additionally, these experiences were often connected to previous experiences. The findings also suggest these longer-lasting interactions primarily occurred outside formal science lessons in small groups led by teachers who seemed relaxed and joyful. This work will be important for science educators in learning how an outdoor approach may support deep engagement in science through nature. Findings from both papers indicate that outdoor experiences, particularly free choice experiences, can provide contextual supports for interactions that are not available indoors. This is especially true related to conceptual development such as science learning. The findings also highlight that the way in which outdoor time is structured and interacted with matters for how interactions take place (i.e., time, number of classes in a space, and activity type). Continued studies about the affordances of outdoor environments for learning and how teachers can leverage those affordances, in both conventional and nature-based schools, will ensure children's meaningful interactions with the world around them.