Redesign of an Outdoor Space in a Swedish Preschool: Opportunities and Constraints for Sustainability Education
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Redesign of an Outdoor Space in a Swedish Preschool: Opportunities and Constraints for Sustainability Education Birgitta Nordén1 · Helen Avery2,3 Accepted: 24 November 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Children’s early engagement in design of outdoor spaces can form the basis of later attitudes and responsible action for sustainability. The present study is part of a participatory action research project in an urban multi-ethnic preschool in Sweden, involving children, parents, preschool staff and management with a focus on improving the preschool playground. The methodology involved children taking pictures of the outdoor space, informal participant observation by one researcher and conversations with children and teachers. Analyses completed of selected fieldwork excerpts focus on learning opportunities for children and adults, children’s participation, cooperation and leadership for sustainability. Deeper awareness and confidence, and practical pedagogies for staff in preschools are required for effective sustainability education. A joint frame of reference on pedagogical practices and processes for reflection is needed within and across early childhood institutions. More continuous training of staff and preschool leadership would be of benefit. However, such commitment is ultimately a matter of policy to invest in giving preschools the means to develop and realise ambitions for environmental and sustainability education. Keywords Early childhood education · Environmental and sustainability education (ESE) · Immigrant children · Participatory action research (PAR) · Preschool Résumé L’engagement précoce des enfants dans la conception des espaces extérieurs peut constituer une base d’attitudes ultérieures et d’action responsable en faveur de la durabilité. La présente étude fait partie d’un projet de recherche-action participa* Birgitta Nordén [email protected] 1
Department of Science, Mathematics and Society, Faculty of Education and Society, Malmö University, Nordenskiöldsgatan 10, 211 19 Malmö, Sweden
2
Centre for Middle Eastern Studies and Centre for Environmental and Climate Research, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
3
Department of Languages, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
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B. Nordén, H. Avery
tive (RAP) dans un établissement préscolaire multiethnique urbain en Suède, où les enfants, les parents, le personnel et la direction sont impliqués dans un objectif d’amélioration du terrain de jeux de leur maternelle. La méthodologie utilisée fait appel à des prises de photos de l’espace extérieur par les enfants, une observation informelle des participants par une personne de la recherche et une discussion avec les enfants et les enseignants. Les analyses réalisées sur des extraits sélectionnés de travaux de terrain sont centrées sur: les occasions d’apprentissage pour les enfants et les adultes, la participation des enfants, et la coopération et le leadership des adultes envers la durabilité à l’intérieur des institutions et entre cell
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