Devolver el derecho al aire libre en la infancia: explorar el espacio en una guardería urbana: Restoring children's right to the outdoors: exploring space in an urban day care centre

Abstract

The study oh the Observatory for the Future oj Early Childhood Education focuses on the importance of outdoor play and contact with nature for children in urban kindergartens. It is part of a larger qualitative research project: "Outdoor learning opportunities: changing practices in urban kindergartens and daycare centers”. This article presents a phase of the project using observation records as a research tool, following a group of children aged 1 to 2 years old in a day care centre in Oporto - Portugal, with the aim of understanding and improving access to the outdoors. The results confirm that outdoor experience is vital for children's development, learning and health. Interaction with less structured environments and the involvement of parents, providing materials for a mud kitchen, were positive. Childcare teachers' practices were modified, and families were prepared for changes, such as new equipment and appropriate clothing for children