Nature as a Classroom: Designing Learning Experiences to Promote Executive Function (EF) Skills in Early Childhood
Keywords:
Learning experience design, Early Childhood, EF, Nature classroomAbstract
The development of executive function (EF) is a fundamental foundation for learning and living, both in the present and in the future, particularly during early childhood—the golden period of brain development. Research and educational theories indicate that Nature-Based Learning (NBL) has strong potential to enhance EF through play, exploration, and interaction with real environments. Activities that take place in a natural classroom—such as free play, hands-on learning, social interactions, and the promotion of physical and emotional skills—help to cultivate the core components of the EF: working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. In this article, the researchers aim to explain the principles, concepts, and approaches to designing learning experiences in nature-based classrooms that promote the EF in early childhood. It draws upon research and conceptual frameworks from various countries to propose effective strategies for fostering early childhood development within the Thai context—ensuring high-quality learning and sustainable life skills for the future.
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