The Outdoor Education Practices (OEP) in the Development of Sustainable Behaviours in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors present an intervention that was aimed to increase the realization of outdoor education practices (OEP) and, using the scientific method, they evaluate the effects of such practices on both teachers and students. The incorporation of OEP in the teaching-learning process and the perception of teachers toward its effects on the students were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed through semi-structured interviews and using a teacher diary. Such approach began with a diagnostic questionnaire designed to reveal the use that the teachers make of this type of practices, their degree of training regarding these practices, the opinion of the teachers about the educational potential of OEP, limiting factors and propositions to improve their incorporation. From the results of the diagnosis, methodological guidelines were established between the early childhood education teachers and the researchers to quantitatively and qualitatively improve OEP.