Local childcare programs through natural field-based environmental education

: A case study of "Model Project of Childcare in Nature for families with prekindergarten children" in Nishinomiya, Japan

Abstract

It is recognized that nature experience for parents and children is necessary for sustainable development. Because of various outside risk, however, opportunities for children to play outside are decreasing. In particular, some of prekindergarten children often play within only their house, because of trend toward nuclear families and lack of communication among local communities. This paper examines possibility of local child-support programs through nature experience programs, illustrating a case study of “a model project of childcare in nature for families with prekindergarten children” starting from 2013 in Nishinomiya, Japan; and methods to conduct such local child-support programs in natural environment in partnership with local government, NPO, cooperative association and private company.