자연산책 활동이 유아의 과학적 탐구능력에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This study aims to identify how young children's scientific exploration ability is influenced by nature walking. Specific scientific exploration ability consists of the following sub-categories: observing, classifying, predicting and measuring. The following questions are discussed according to the purpose of this study. 1. What is the influence of nature walking activity on observing ability of young children? 2. What is the influence of nature walking activity on classifying ability of young children? 3. What is the influence of nature walking activity on predicting ability of young children? 4. What is the influence of nature walking activity on measuring ability of young children? To test such questions, this study targeted 40 young children under age of 5 (20 for experimental group and 20 for control group) who are attending a kindergarten affiliated to D elementary school in Kwang-yang City. As a result of pre-test, there was little difference in their scientific exploration ability between the two groups. Therefore, it was believed that the two groups are homogeneous. The children in experimental group were released to take a walk three times a week and a total of 24 times for eight weeks. For their scientific exploration ability test, this study used the modified and complemented testing tool developed by Lee Gyeong-Min (2001), and its validity was tested by two professionals. This study analyzed the results obtained from the pre-test and post-test using t-test in order to demonstrate the effect of nature walking activity on scientific exploration ability of young children. For statistical analysis of the results, it used SPSSWIN 10.0 Program. The results of the analysis are summarized as follows: First, nature walking activity influences on observing ability of young children. Second, nature walking activity influences on classifying ability of young children. Third, nature walking activity influences on predicting ability of young children. Fourth, nature walking activity influences on measuring ability of young children. The results of this study indicate that nature walking activities influences on scientific exploration ability of young children.