Developing an ECEC response to the global environmental crisis: The potential of the Froebelian-inspired ‘NENE Pedagogy’

This scoping project set out to explore the potential of the
concept of ‘Nature Engaging and Nature Enhancing’(NENE) pedagogy as a research and practice focus for the
Froebel Trust from 2022.

The concept derives from the Froebel Trust funded project ‘A
life in and with nature in the period of earliest childhood:
understanding provision for 0-2s in English babyrooms.’ This
research revealed that whilst the pedagogic potential of the
outdoors for babies and toddlers appears to be generally
recognised, there is little emphasis on supporting them to
engage with the natural characteristics of the outdoor
environment.

A further concern relates to the way that the outdoor
environment is primarily positioned as a resource that
supports human (child) development with its potential in
terms of biodiversity unacknowledged. NENE pedagogy is a response to these concerns and offersa way of thinking about ECEC that emphasizes practicesthat support both human and planetary health (Josephidou and Kemp, 2022).