ABSTRACT
The term “academic” is often associated with traditional subject areas taught in a formal school setting, such as reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. Related goals can include desired learning outcomes in the areas of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values. The main focus of academic learning, however, tends to be on knowledge and skills – with a great deal of emphasis on the cognitive domain. Academic goals are sometimes differentiated from developmental goals, which are more holistic in nature – emphasizing all the developmental domains (physical, emotional, social, cognitive, etc.). The discussion in Chapter 4 addressed developmental goals and ways in which creative play in natural environments can promote these goals. The discussion in this chapter will focus on academic goals and how they can be fostered in natural environments.
