| Abstract |
Outdoor self-directed games, as an important component of early childhood education, can promote the improvement of childrens physical fitness and play an irreplaceable role in developing their social skills, exploratory spirit, creativity, and other aspects. Natural materials such as wooden blocks, stones, sand, water, plants, etc., due to their primitive, highly malleable, and exploratory nature, have gradually become the preferred elements for creating outdoor play environments in kindergartens. They can not only create a game space that is close to nature and full of wildness, but also stimulate childrens sensory experience and imagination, promote intimate contact between children and the natural world, and cultivate their awareness of respecting nature and caring for the environment. The aim of this study is to explore in depth the strategies and practices of creating and applying natural materials in outdoor autonomous play environments in kindergartens, promoting childrens comprehensive development, returning education to nature, and making childhood full of fun and exploration.
|