Method of Teaching of the “Environment” - Child’s Curiosity and Inquiring Mind Grow up through Relation with Natural Environment -

本研究は、自然と関わって遊ぶ幼児の姿を自然観察法によって収集した記録を分析し、幼児の学びの内容と教師の指導の在り方を探ることを目的とした。結果、幼児は知的好奇心を出発とした直接体験の中で、疑問や発見の喜びを教師や友達に伝えたり、友達の考えを取り込んだりしながら更に探求し、思考を深めていくことが認められた。また、教師には共感・動機付け等の援助と共に、見通しをもった指導が求められる。そこで、記録から抽出した事項を年間計画にまとめ、自然との出会いや関わりの場をどのようにつくったらよいのかを示した。Recordings of children playing in a natural environment were collected by natural observation and analyzed to investigate what young children learn and how their teachers guide them in the process. As a result, in firsthand experiences that stemmed from inquisitiveness, children shared their wonder and discoveries with their teachers and friends, or incorporated a friend’s ideas to further explore and deepen their thinking. Educators need to not only aid children in empathizing and becoming motivated, but also to guide them with clear goals. Items extracted from the recordings were then summarized into an annual plan, illustrating how best to create settings for encounters and interactions with nature.departmental bulletin pape