RESEARCH

Components for Early Childhood Horticultural Education Program derived from Expert Delphi Research

This study identified key goals and implementation components for horticultural education programs in kindergartens by surveying experts, emphasizing the importance of teacher training, emotional development for children, and hands-on experiences with plants. The research offers valuable insights for designing effective and engaging horticultural programs that align with the Nuri Curriculum, benefiting young children’s development.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Children/Youth, General Population

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings

Allied Profession Intersections: Education

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Forest/Natural Area Immersion

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Standardized Assessment Tools

Access: Free

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Summary

This study looked at what experts think are the most important parts of horticultural (gardening) education programs for young children in kindergartens. Researchers used a method called the Delphi survey, where they asked a group of experts, including early childhood education professors, kindergarten directors, and horticultural therapy experts, for their opinions in multiple rounds of questionnaires. The experts gave their thoughts on the goals of horticultural education and how it should be implemented in kindergartens. The goal was to get a clear picture of what should be included in gardening programs for young kids.

The study found that experts agreed that horticultural education should address things like a lack of systematic gardening education for teachers and activities that are just one-time events. They also highlighted the importance of teaching kids respect for life, developing their emotional intelligence, and giving them hands-on experiences with plants. For how to implement these programs, experts suggested shorter class periods (30-50 minutes), using the kindergarten’s outdoor garden, and focusing on activities like outdoor play with vegetables. The researchers concluded that these findings can help create effective horticultural education programs for kindergartens, especially when linked to the existing Nuri Curriculum.

Link

Jeong, Y., Kim, M., Chang, T., & Yun, S. (2021). Components for early childhood horticultural education program derived from expert delphi research. Journal of People, Plants, and Environment, 24(2), 119-135

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