Environmental and motor education for shaping personality in preschool: a systematic review

Resumo

The aim of this article is to research and better understand the advantages the natural environment can provide to the overall development of the child, particularly to the shaping of personality between three and five years of age. Thanks to educational theories and studies and thanks to the findings of fourteen recent scientific research papers, numerous advantages of physical activity in a natural environment were found, for the growth, for the cognitive, motor and socio-emotional development in preschool age. All the works that we have examined have had natural environment as background and the preschool child as “budding” protagonist. The results show that in nature there is possibility to undertake important learning processes through: exploration and direct discovery of knowledge on the field; a better understanding and command of one’s own motor skills through a wide range of movements; strong and deep socio-emotional connections with a group of peers collaborating towards shared goals; bravery and selfefficacy when autonomously solving challenging situations and when approaching risk, which are all fundamental aspects for the future adult and citizen’s education.