Forest schools in Turkey in times of COVID-19

Say S., Gunes G., Batı K.

JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, cilt.53, ss.340-354, 2022 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 53
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/00958964.2022.2132463
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, Periodicals Index Online, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Environment Index, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Greenfile, Pollution Abstracts, Psycinfo
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.340-354
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19 pandemic, early childhood education, forest school pedagogy, outdoor schooling
  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study explores the significance of forest schools in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically their effects on children's developmental areas. This study was conducted with nine preschool teachers and 134 children attending a public forest school in southern Turkey in 2021. A combination of observation protocols, anecdotal records, and in-depth interviews, applied as part of a phenomenological approach, were the preferred data collection tools. The results showed that forest schools can tolerate learning losses and offer vital support for children's psycho-social, motor skills, and cognitive development, while simultaneously promoting environmental sustainability values and behaviors.