The Effect of Nature Based Learning Model On The Computational Thinking of Early Childhood

Authors

  • Fakhita Indira Haris Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Rita Mariyana Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia , Indonesia
  • Badru Zaman Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia , Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31004/aulad.v9i2.1693

Keywords:

Computational Thinking Skills, Early Childhood Education, Nature Based Learning, Quasi Experimental Study, 21st Century Education

Abstract

Computational thinking has become an essential competency in 21st-century education, yet its integration into early childhood learning remains limited. This study aimed to examine the effect of the nature based learning model on the computational thinking abilities of children aged 5–6 years. A quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group design was employed involving 32 children selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using performance-based assessments, observation, and documentation, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. The results revealed a significant improvement in children's computational thinking following the intervention (Z = −3.563, p = .007). These findings indicate that the nature based learning model effectively promotes computational thinking through authentic learning experiences and may serve as an alternative instructional approach for strengthening 21st-century skills in early childhood education

Downloads Statistics

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alé, M., & Rodríguez-Donoso, A. (2026). Nature care play activities and computational thinking development in early childhood. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 15(1), 45-62.

Amiliya, R., & Aminah, S. (2020). Natural-Based Learning For Early Childhood Education. Jurnal Al-Abyadh, 3 (2), 59–73.

Atmatzidou, S., & Demetriadis, S. (2016). Advancing students’ computational thinking skills through educational robotics: A study on age and gender relevant differences. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 75 (part B), 661-670.

Barr, V., & Stephenson, C. (2011). Bringing computational thinking to K-12: What is involved and what is the role of the computer science education community?. ACM Inroads, 2 (1), 48-54.

Ballard, E. D., & Haroldson, R. (2022). Analysis of computational thinking in children’s literature for k-6 students: Literature as a non-programming unplugged Resource. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 59(8), 1487–1516. https://doi.org/10.1177/07356331211004048

Bers, M. U., González-González, C., & Armas-Torres, M. B. (2019). Coding as a playground: Promoting positive learning experiences in childhood classrooms. Computers and education, 138, 130–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.04.013

Bers, M. U., Strawhacker, A., & Sullivan, A. (2022). OECD education working papers no.274 (the state of the field of computational thinking in early childhood education) (274; oecd education working papers, Vol. 274). https://doi.org/10.1787/3354387a-en

Critten, V., Hagon, H., Critten, S., & Messer, D. (2025). Developing computational thinking abilities in the early years using guided play activities. Education sciences, 15(10), 1298. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15101298

Ching, Y. H., Hsu, Y. C., & Baldwin, S. (2018). Developing computational thinking with educational technologies for young learners. TechTrends, 62(6), 563–573. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-018-0292-7

Endah, N., Syamsuddin, M. M., & Dewi, N. K. (2020). Penerapan nature based learning untuk meningkatkan kemampuan mengklasifikasi pada anak usia 4-5 tahun. Kumara cendekia, 8, 365–368. https://jurnal.uns.ac.id/kumara

Fitriyah, Y., Wahyudin, W., Nurhayati, H., & Febrianti, T. S. (2024). Indonesian students’ computational thinking performance based on level and gender. International journal of pedagogy and teacher education, 8(1), 50. https://doi.org/10.20961/ijpte.v8i1.89464

Khan, S., et al. (2018). Computational thinking through unplugged activities: A review. Educational Technology & Society, 21(4), 55-66.

Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development (2nd ed.). New jersey: Pearson education, Inc.

Kumala, R. A. D., Fathiyah, K. N., & Krisnani, R. V. R. (2023). Computational thinking pada anak usia dini: Tinjauan sistematis. Jurnal obsesi : Jurnal pendidikan anak usia dini, 7(3), 3418–3436. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i3.4520

Kuo, M., Barnes, M., & Jordan, C. (2019). Do experiences with nature promote learning? A meta-analysis. Educational researcher, 48(2), 69-82.

Lee, J., & Junoh, J. (2019). Implementing unplugged coding activities in early childhood classrooms. Early childhood education journal, 47(6), 709–716. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-019-00967-z

Martins, E. C., da Silva, L. G. Z., & Neris, V. P. de A. (2023). Systematic mapping of computational thinking in preschool children. In International journal of child-computer interaction (Vol. 36). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2023.100566

Mulyati, Routledge. M. (2023). Tren dan pengembangan keterampilan berpikir komputasional anak usia dini pada abad 21: Perspektif teoretis. Jurnal obsesi : Jurnal pendidikan anak usia dini, 7(4), 4155–4165. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i4.4005

NAEYC. (2021). Our proud heritage. Take it outside_ a history of nature-based education.

Najmina, N., Sukmawati, K., & Afifah, Y. N. (2025). Nature based learning strategies for building environmental awareness in early childhood. AlBanna: Jurnal pendidikan islam anak usia dini, 5(2), 60–68. https://doi.org/10.24260/albanna.v5i2.4722

Nasrullah, R., Aditya, W., Satya, T. I., Nento, M. N., Hanifah, N., Miftahussururi, M., & Akbari, Q. S. (2017). Materi pendukung literasi digital.

Nopiana, N. (2025). Model pembelajaran berbasis alam untuk meningkatkan ecoliterasi anak usia dini. Journal of humanities, social sciences, and education, 1(4), 96-108. https://doi.org/10.64690/jhuse.v1i4.209

Om, C., Brereton, M., Vella, K., Ploderer, B., Dema, T., Dobson, M. R., & Murcia, K. (2023). Rethinking the development of computational thinking skills in young children through nature play. Acm international conference proceeding series, 536–549. https://doi.org/10.1145/3638380.3638447

OECD. (2022). 21st-century children’s digital skills. OECD Publishing.

Pamungkas, A. H., & Sunarti, V. (2018). Pengelolaan PAUD berbasis experiential learning. KOLOKIUM Jurnal pendidikan luar sekolah, 6(2), 101-106.

Papadakis, S. (2021, June). The impact of coding apps to support young children in computational thinking and computational fluency. A literature review. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 6, p. 657895), 1-12.

Paraskevopoulou-Kollia, E. A., Michalakopoulos, C. A., Zygouris, N. C., & Bagos, P. G. (2025). Computational thinking in primary and pre-school children: A systematic review of the literature. Education sciences, 15(8), 985. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15080985

Rehder , M. M., Jensen, J. J., Møller, T. E., & Schrøder, V. (2024). Exploring the potentials of unplugged activities: Developing computational thinking in teacher education. Nordic journal of comparative and international education (NJCIE), 8(4), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.7577/njcie.5741

Rymanowicz, K., Hetherington, C., & Larm, B. (2020). Planting the seeds for nature-based learning: Impacts of a farm-and nature-based early childhood education program. International journal of early childhood environmental education, 8(1), 44-63.

Su, J., & Yang, W. (2023). A systematic review of integrating computational thinking in early childhood education. Computers and education Open, 4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2023.100122

Sunanik. (2018). Pembelajaran berbasis alam untuk anak usia dini di tk alam al azhar kutai kartanegara. Ilmiah Al-Madrasah, 3(1), 81-110.

Suryaningsih, N. M. A. (2024). Studi literatur: Implementasi experiential learning terhadap kemampuan 4c anak usia dini. Aulad: Journal on early childhood, 7(3), 820-827.

Wilson, R. (2008). Nature and young children: Encouraging creative play and learning in natural environments (1st ed.). Taylor & Francis Group.

Wing, J. M. (2006). Viewpoint Computational Thinking. Communications of the Acm, 49. No.3.

Downloads

Published

10-08-2026

How to Cite

Haris, F. I., Mariyana, R., & Zaman, B. (2026). The Effect of Nature Based Learning Model On The Computational Thinking of Early Childhood. Aulad: Journal on Early Childhood, 9(2), 779–788. https://doi.org/10.31004/aulad.v9i2.1693

Issue

Section

Research Articles