Natural [Re]connection: Facilitating the Development of Preschool Children Through Nature Rich Environments

Abstract

Humans have an instinctive attraction to the living world and growing research suggests that interactions with nature makes us healthier and happier. Early childhood development theories demonstrates that it is essential that children are in contact with nature and this, as much as possible.

This thesis addresses early childhood group age and how to appropriately implement nature rich environments into an urban kindergarten in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The thesis also advocates for a more natural way of teaching where creativity, child led play and tactile learning are at core while demonstrating the importance of nature for children and lists multiple studies researching the consequences of restrain exposure to the natural world. Through biophilic design and the natural environment studies, this thesis aims to provide a framework that can be adapted to any urban setting educational facility.