Nature-based learning as an effort in building students’ character education values

ABSTRACT: Nature-based learning is a conceptual framework, which basically describes a concrete structure of
learning experience by utilizing nature as the material, the media, and the learning environment. This learning
process is designed to promote the natural environment as natural environment preservation. The key of naturebased learning approach is the material that is fascinated for children learning process. In addition, it is taken
from their surroundings. Therefore, promoting character-building values for children will be more effectively
delivered by a pleasure learning process. This article aims to describe nature-based learning as an approach to
promote character-building values for children. Based on this approach, proposed activities will also relate to
surroundings, the locals, and those are developed according to local wisdom. These activities are certainly
beneficial for daily life as well as local society characteristics. Character education value aims to develop national
character values, which are highly intelligent, well cultured, and able to contribute for human life development.
There are many education character values promoted to children such as values of environmental care, social,
brave, tolerance, religiosity, cooperation, love, curiosity, etc. Therefore, the nature-based approach can be
certainly used to embed character education value for children through an innovative and pleasant activity.