How can you stimulate the language development of young children? Linguist Jannette Prins investigated whether playing in nature can help. Her doctoral research shows that a green environment enriches the language use of children between the ages of two and seven.
In early childhood education, language development is essential for children to fully participate in learning. Prins explains: "We looked at whether playing in nature could support language development and whether this could be a valuable addition to education." Nature-rich places include elements such as plants, animals, insects, and loose materials like branches, stones, and sand. This could be a green schoolyard, a small park, or a natural corner on a traditional playground.
Prins studied children in daycare centres, preschools, and the early years of primary school. The children, aged between two and seven, each played for 10 minutes in two different environments: a nature-rich area and a traditional, paved schoolyard. “The children wore play vests with voice recorders that captured everything they said,” Prins explains. “We analysed and compared the recordings, focusing on both the quantity and the content of their language expressions.”
More Talkative
The research found that children are much more talkative in a natural environment than on a paved schoolyard. “Nature is a rich environment, full of various materials, colours, and shapes, where exciting and complex events occur. Children interact with natural elements, play with branches, talk to snails, and ask questions about what they see and experience,” Prins notes. “You might hear statements like: ‘Is this branch strong enough to swing on?’ ‘Where did the snail go when only its shell is left?’ or ‘How many chestnuts are on this branch?’ The natural environment supports children's conversations, and the richness of nature is reflected in their language.”
Benefiting from Nature
Nature, therefore, is not only a place for play but also acts as a 'co-teacher' that prompts rich language use. This is important, Prins emphasises: “Rich language use supports children's language development, something that childcare professionals and primary school teachers can utilise.” Language teaching often takes place indoors, using books, flashcards, and scripts. “These methods are valuable, but more is possible. By incorporating outdoor play in a nature-rich environment, you allow nature to contribute.”
To put her research into practice, Prins collaborated with five teaching teams to find ways in which nature can contribute to language education. Her message is clear: “Outdoor play is already part of the routine, so why not take advantage of nature as a co-teacher?”