Effects of a natural-object-based forest activity program on young children’s physical activity, motor skills, nature-friendly attitudes, environmental sensitivity, and knowledge of nature
AUTHOR : 이순형, 김보경, 박윤현, 조윤희, 김대웅, 박지은, 이은경
INFORMATION : page. 139~170 / 2019 Vol.26 No.3
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a natural objects-based forest activity program on young children’s physical activity, motor skills, nature-friendly attitudes, environmental sensitivity, and knowledge of nature. The participants were 83 children who were four years old (44 boys, 39 girls). An 18-session forest activity program was developed and conducted for the experimental group. The physical activity levels of the children in the experimental and control groups were measured during the program period, and the children’s motor skills, nature-friendly attitudes, environmental sensitivity, and knowledge of nature were measured using measurement scales before and after the program period. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS. The results revealed an increase in the physical activity level of the experimental group, in comparison to the control group, with significant improvements in the performance of gross motor skills. Moreover, the forest activity program significantly improved the nature-friendly attitudes, environmental sensitivity, and knowledge of nature among those in the experimental group. These results provide evidence that forest activities greatly contribute to improving young children’s physical development, supporting them with a better understand of nature and an opportunity to be closer to nature. This study is significant given its various implications regarding the developmental and educational values of forest activities and its practical applicability to programs for young children.