Reexamination of the Importance of Natural Experience in Childhood and its Significance in the Growth of the Child

Abstract

This research report reexamines the importance of natural experience in childhood and its significance in the growth of the child. European and American educational thinkers have long advocated its importance in education and put it into practice. Japanese education researchers were influenced by this idea and developed an original education theory that formed the basis of today' s education. And they now recognize that natural experiences promote the versatile development of children. However, there is a tendency for the number of opportunities to have natural experience to decrease because of changes in the environment of children today. We feel uneasy about the present condition, and even though educators actively try to provide natural experiences for children, their efforts have not been entirely effective. Society as a whole recognizes the utility of natural experiences in childhood, and it is necessary to promote the maintenance of a rich natural environment and activities in the areas around the school and at home in the future.