Conducted at two separate natural outdoor classrooms with preschool-aged children, this qualitative research study analyzed teachers’ documentation to learn how outdoor environments supported children’s creativity and imagination around the themes of time, space, materials, and adult-child relationships. Although many studies have explored the development of creative arts in the young children, few have focused on creativity with regard to problem solving, ingenuity, and construction, as did this study.
Four factors in natural outdoor classrooms that enhance children’s creativity and imagination were revealed:
- predictable spaces
- ample and consistent time
- open-ended materials
- caring, observant adults who support creative play and learning.
