Children's Outdoor Environment in Icelandic Educational Policy

The aim of this study is to investigate what characterizes the discourse on the role of the outdoor environment in young children's learning in educational policy documents in Iceland. Policy documents, laws and regulations, national curriculum guides for pre- and compulsory school levels, and documents from municipalities were analyzed. A six-step approach to discourse analysis was utilized. The main findings are that the outdoor environment is not highlighted in these documents, but is rather seen as a benefit to children's learning, health, and play and the fostering of children's positive environmental attitudes. Two types of contradictions were found: Silence about the outdoors versus emphasis on it, and discussion on risk versus learning opportunities.