LA NATURALEZA COMO HERRAMIENTA INTEGRADA EN LA METODOLOGÍA HIGH SCOPE PARA EL DESARROLLO DEL PENSAMIENTO CRÍTICO EN LOS NIÑOS DE 3 AÑOS.

Abstract

This research explores the use of nature as an educational tool in the High Scope methodology, evaluating its impact on the development of critical thinking in 3-year-old children. Through a qualitative approach, observations were conducted with 12 students and interviews with teachers in a child development center, where outdoor activities were systematically integrated into the curriculum. The findings indicate that nature facilitates active learning and children's innate curiosity, driving them to explore, question, and solve problems autonomously. Furthermore, interaction with the natural environment promotes logical thinking skills, autonomy, gross motor skills, and a large number of neural connections, creating a meaningful learning environment that goes beyond traditional methods. These results support the incorporation of natural environments in early education and highlight the need for pedagogical approaches that promote autonomy and critical thinking from an early age.