Nature as a stimulus for the child's learning and development

Rad se bavi utjecajima koje priroda ima na dijete. Priroda je poticajno okruženje za odgojno-obrazovni rad. Pruža idealne uvjete za učenje kroz igru i istraživanje. U radu se iznose oblici suživota djece i prirode u preškolskim ustanovama. Djeca u dodir s prirodom dolaze u vanjskom okruţenju, ali i u unutrašnjosti vrtića. Predškolske ustanove organiziraju boravak djece na izletima, ljetovanjima i zimovanjima ili u šumskim vrtićima. Rezultat je stjecanje iskustva, znanja i vještina, boravak na zraku i upoznavanje prirode u svim njezinim oblicima, poticanje samostalnosti, poticanje socio-emocionalne kompetencije i osjećaj pripadnosti odgojnoj skupini te razvoj ekološke osjetljivosti. Poticajno prostorno okruženje u unutrašnjosti vrtića jednako je važno za pravilan razvoj djeteta. Organiziranjem vrtićkih ekokutića, vrtova ili centara aktivnosti djeca mogu upoznati prirodu, elemente i pojave iz prirode te različite prirodnine. Svaki plod je poticaj za brojne aktivnosti kojima se ostvaruju različiti odgojno-obrazovni ishodi: kognitivni, afektivni i psihomotorički. U prostoru ekovrtića djeca mogu saditi sjemenke, proučavati izgled ili pratiti rast biljke. U dijelu vrtićkoga dvorišta mogu saditi povrtnjak ili cvjetnjak. Upoznajući se s prirodom i prirodninama, u vanjskom okruženju ili u prostoru vrtića, djeca razvijaju odgovornost i samopouzdanje. Svakodnevnim boravkom u prirodi unapređuje se djetetovo psihičko zdravlje, tjelesne i funkcionalne sposobnosti. Cilj rada je osvijestiti činjenicu da se djeca upoznajući prirodu ujedno pripremaju i za život. Važnu ulogu u tome imaju odgojitelji i roditelji. Oni trebaju stvoriti uvjete u kojima će dijete u prirodi učiti samostalno. Na taj način djeca upoznaju i razumiju prirodu od najranije dobi. Stoga je velika vjerojatnost da će kao odrasli ljudi prema biljkama i životinjama izgraditi pozitivan odnos koji uključuje ljubav, brigu i zaštitu.The paper deals with the influences that nature has on the child. Nature is a stimulating environment for educational work. It provides ideal conditions for learning through play and exploration. The paper presents the forms of coexistence of children and nature in preschool institutions. Children come into contact with nature in the outdoor environment, but also in the interior of the kindergarten. Preschool institutions organize the stay of children in summer and winter camps, day trips or in forest kindergartens. The result is the acquisition of experience, knowledge and skills, staying in the air and getting to know nature in all its forms, encouraging independence, socio-emotional competence and a sense of belonging to the educational group and the development of environmental sensitivity. A stimulating spatial environment inside the kindergarten is equally important for the proper development of the child. By organizing kindergarten eco-corners, gardens or activity centers, children can get to know nature, elements and phenomena of nature and various natural features. Each fruit is a template for a number of activities that achieve different educational outcomes: cognitive, affective and psychomotor. In the eco-garden area, children can plant seeds, study the appearance or monitor the growth of the plants. In the part of the kindergarten yard they can plant a vegetable garden or a flower garden. By getting acquainted with nature and natural environment, in the outdoor or in the kindergarten space, children develop responsibility and self-confidence. Everyday stay in nature improves the child's mental health, physical and functional abilities. The aim of this paper is to raise awareness of the fact that children, by getting to know nature, also prepare for life. Educators and parents have an important role to play in this. They need to create conditions in which the child will learn independently in nature. In this way, children learn about and understand nature from an early age. Therefore, it is very likely that as adults they will build a positive relationship with plants and animals that includes love, care and protection