Toddlers’ actualization of affordances during free exploration in a varied natural environment

Abstract

Research indicates that the natural environment offers diverse and challenging play and exploration opportunities that support developmental aspects in children. However, studies on toddlers’ utilization of natural settings are scarce. This study investigates how toddlers use a varied natural environment when allowed to explore freely and was conducted with a mixed methods approach. To capture how the toddlers utilized the natural environment, data were collected through head-mounted GoPro cameras as seven toddlers explored freely. The results demonstrate that toddlers engage in a wide range of activities, including gross motor, loose material, and water activities in the natural environment. There were large variations among the toddlers concerning time spent on different surfaces and exploratory activities, supporting the notion of nature as a child-friendly environment for toddlers. The findings have implications for early childhood and education and care (ECEC) practices, where toddlers should be given ample time and space to explore nature freely, in areas with varied and challenging surfaces and a rich diversity of natural elements and materials to explore.