Planting Seeds: Integrating Critical Multicultural Education in Outdoor Experiential Preschools

This qualitative study explored teachers’ applied understandings of critical multiculturalism in outdoor, play-based, experiential preschools, focusing on how teachers honor and reflect minoritized cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds in natural settings. Outdoor preschools, which emphasize experiential learning in natural environments, are often located in culturally homogenous communities and prioritize environmental education over cultural sustainabilityandexploration. These dynamics limit children’s exposure to diverse cultural perspectives, potentially contributing to the early development of cultural biases and stereotypes at a formative age. Through semi-structured interviews with teachers, the research provides insights into their experiences, strategies, and reflections on integrating developmental critical multicultural education into their practice.