Nature-based reading and writing instructions in early childhood education: The Giving Tree example

Abstract

Studies on nature-based education represent a growing field in early childhood education. Nature-based settings are not only influential on children’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development but also offer an engaging environment for children to learn and interact with each other to learn the subject matter. Particularly, reading and writing instructions can be a priority in nature-based education. However, only a few studies examined reading and writing instructions in this context. In this study, we investigated how reading and writing instructions could be supported through nature-based education with references to the Common Core Standards that is developed in the U.S. in 2010 to detail students’ learning outcomes throughout K-12 grades. We, in this respect, exemplified reading and writing instructions through a picture book, The Giving Tree (2014), by Shel Silverstein. We suggested that reading and writing instructions could be implemented in nature-based education, as supported by the Common Core Standards. Thus, nature-based reading and writing instructions should be carried out in line with traditional classrooms for the benefit of early childhood students. We concluded this study with some picture book suggestions in order to foster nature-based reading and writing instructions.

Keywords:

• Nature-based education
• reading instruction
• writing instruction
• picture books

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vahide Yigit-Gencten

Vahide Yigit Gencten recently graduated from the University of Exeter, the UK, with a Ph.D. in Education. She currently works as an assistant professor of early childhood education at Adiyaman University.

Mehmet Gultekin

Mehmet Gultekin recently graduated from Georgia State University with a Ph.D. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. He currently works as an assistant professor of early childhood education at Adiyaman University.