New sociomaterial and performative directions in literacy research on digital technologies and play in early childhoods may complicate the established concept of digital play. This study contributes to this line of research by empirically expanding on the concept of the postdigital. In the study, postdigital refers to how both "digital"…

Despite the growing awareness of the environmental crisis, few studies have examined how early childhood educators conceptualise the environment and the funds of knowledge they draw upon to describe these. Using 'funds of knowledge' as a theoretical lens, this study explores how early childhood educators in Malta describe the environment. Guided…

This article uses a comparative case study to examine how a methodological approach called interaction geography provides alternative ways to animate space, movement, and affect within the context of early childhood education. We take animation to incorporate the methods for representing space, movement, and affect; the social-material environment…

The authors discuss loose parts -- pipe cleaners, acorns, fabric, stones, and so forth -- as versatile materials not originally intended for children's play that they can manipulate, modify, and use in their play activities. The authors review the historical foundations of loose parts play, focusing on influential individuals and theories, and…

The well-being of the early childhood education (ECE) workforce is of great importance to the field, yet existing measures to capture well-being are varied in conceptual and contextual constructs. There is a need to measure well-being among ECE employees holistically and to be able to compare to other industries. The National Institute for…

For those experiencing them, educational transitions include not only the present time but are embedded within institutions that precede and extend beyond the individuals. This article explores how, as an institutional space, the early childhood education and care (ECEC) setting is (re)produced within young children's encounters with others during…

For many years, the Reggio Emilia approach has been in the spotlight of the international debate on early childhood education, attracting countless devoted followers in preschool centres all over the world and inspiring an ever-increasing amount of pedagogical research. At the heart of this educational philosophy, space is considered a 'third…

This scoping review explored, what kind of educational environments and practices have been used when children's nature connectedness in early childhood education has been studied. While the beneficial influence of forest preschools -- and others alike based on substantial nature contact -- is well-established, little is known about how ordinary…

Although early childhood theorists agree on the importance of spending time in nature and the outdoors, it unfortunately appears that today's young children do not always have sufficient opportunities to experience and strengthen this connection. Lack of time spent in nature, combined with the health issues associated with large quantities of time…

High-quality outdoor environments (OEs) are essential for young children's physical, emotional, and intellectual development. The goal of this study was to explore the attributes of high- and low-quality OEs in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings identified by different stakeholder groups. We conducted 41 focus groups/interviews…

Early childhood care and education (ECCE) is the basis for the enduring instillation of personal habits and societal ideals. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the practice and challenges of implementing ECCE in Bahir Dar city administration, Ethiopia. To this end, a qualitative research approach with a multiple case study design was used.…

This paper examines underlying beliefs and values about nature within the early years education in Turkey, as reflected in the curricula and standards documents guiding instruction. Given that not every child has the opportunity for nature-based education, it becomes essential to incorporate nature-based learning into indoor classrooms. Employing…

This research investigates the influence of color-filtered lighting in relation to biophilic design, specifically within the preschool learning environment where design elements impact early childhood development. Among various architectural design components, research underscores the pivotal role of lighting in affecting children's pleasantness…

Increasingly early years education recognises the value of engaging in natural play environments for young children's health and wellbeing. Whilst the focus of nature play usually centres around children's engagement in bush settings, this paper examines the connections between children's health and wellbeing, when beach settings become the play…

Many current environmental problems occur on a planetary scale and their interrelationships are becoming increasingly complex. In order to solve these environmental problems, citizens must be aware of these interrelationships and environmental education plays a fundamental role. The environment must be approached as a complex system that…