ABOUT THE RESEARCH PROJECT

The Preschool Outdoor Learning Evaluation Study (POLES) is a two-year (end-2021 to 2023) project commissioned and funded by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), conducted by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). 

 

We are currently recruiting parents, educators and children for the study. And we have created this website to keep in touch with project participants by providing periodic updates on the project’s progress as well as sharing bite-sized, research-based early childhood information with early childhood teachers and parents.

 

The proposed study will utilise survey questionnaires, interviews and observations to evaluate the efficacy and influence of the ECDA’s Outdoor Learning (OL) training programme and resources on educators’ (teachers, leaders) practices, as well as children’s experiences and parents’ knowledge and attitudes towards OL.  
 
The overarching research question guiding the study is:  

• How has the ECDA’s OL training (and resources) influenced educators’ knowledge, attitudes and practices as well as children’s/parents’ attitudes, levels of physical activity, and outdoor learning experiences? 

 
There are THREE (3) phases to this study, with Phase A1 and A2 involving the greatest number of participants. If you participate in Phase A, you may then continue to participate in Phases B and C.

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Phase A1:  250 preschools to be surveyed—centre leader and at least two teachers to fill out a 20-minute online questionnaire, two times a year in 2022 (Q1 and Q3). 

Phase A2:  from the same 250 preschools—recommend to us at least two parents from your centre to fill out a 20-minute online questionnaire, also two times a year in 2022 (Q1 and Q3).

Phase B (approx. in Q2):  50 preschools—two classrooms from each centre (the same two teachers in Phase A1) to be observed for children's physical activity and experiences. [When the project is completed, we will share our observations with you.]

Phase C (approx. in Q3-4):  10 preschools as case studies—centre leader, teachers and selected parents and children to be interviewed to understand centre's structure and organisational practices. 

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