Budget Amount *help |
¥3,200,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥700,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000)
Fiscal Year 2005: ¥2,500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,500,000)
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Research Abstract |
We have developed educational tools for early childhood using natural materials as a part of environmental education. We have focused on three areas of 1) wood material, 2) plant material, and 3) earth material. As for 1), we used left-over wood pieces from Ranma production in Inami town in Toyama prefecture. For 2), we have used the concept of plant dyeing and used ordinary plants that children see in their everyday lives. For 3), we have focused on the clayey soil in the riverbed, which is considered waste soil, and we have named a play area "nendoba" that used the clay soil and elicited its purpose and meaning. Through the studies, we were able to show 1) the possibility of developing natural materials that are considered waste in daily life into meaningful educational tools and 2) high sensibility of children to appreciate the natural materials. From this point on, our challenge is practical applications of these materials.
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