معرفی
Jannette Prins is a Lecturer and Teacher-researcher in Nature and Child Development at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences in Rotterdam, conducting doctoral research on how physical environments shape young children's language acquisition through play. Her work positions nature as an active co-teacher in early language education.
Prins' research centers on Embodied Cognition theory, demonstrating that sensorimotor experiences in natural settings (e.g., touching soil, balancing on logs) directly scaffold linguistic development. She investigates critical questions: Do natural play environments generate richer language output than urban spaces? and How can educators intentionally design 'play-learning environments' to maximize language opportunities? Her findings prove that embodied interactions with nature trigger spontaneous descriptive language, complex questioning, and narrative construction far beyond structured classroom activities.
Through publications like her 2024 thesis Nature as Co-teacher and the Boom Publishers book Language in nature, Prins translates research into actionable frameworks for practitioners. The March 2025 'Language in Nature' symposium—presenting data on green spaces boosting language complexity by 37%—exemplifies her commitment to bridging academia and practice. While specific grant details aren't public, her active dissemination through professional events and applied publications indicates robust institutional support for real-world implementation.
Prins leads the 'Head, Shoulders, Knees, and LANGUAGE' research initiative examining how bodily movement fuels verbal expression. Her team collaborates with Rotterdam preschools to transform playgrounds into language laboratories, proving that minimal natural interventions (e.g., adding water features or logs) yield significant developmental benefits. This practice-oriented approach ensures her work directly impacts early childhood pedagogy across Dutch educational settings.
