Abstract

The current research examined the effectiveness of four-week nature-based education program on young children’s affinity toward nature (biophilia). The sample of the study is comprised of 40 preschools children between the age of 60 to 66-month-old residing in Mersin, Turkey. Children’s biophilic tendencies were measured before and after the intervention to gauge the effect of their regular interaction with nature and play in such an environment. Children’s biophilia were measured using a visually supported scale that included both biophilic and non-biophilic items. A quasi-experimental design with one group pre-test and post-test design were employed to measure the difference in biophilic tendencies before and after the intervention was given. The results showed that a short-term, nature-based education program in a natural area was effective in terms of increasing children’s affinity toward nature. The improvement in children’s level of biophilia after the implementation of the program was statistically significant.

Key words: Environmental education program, nature-based education, early childhood, affinity toward nature, biophilia