The Study of Supporting Learning Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of Students Majoring in Early Childhood Education by Backyard Gardening Activity

Abstract

This research was aimed to make students majoring in early childhood education
 learn about the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy by integrating learning process through
 practicing planting vegetables and herbs, harvesting, processing products and selling the
 products at the CEECE farm. This case study include 104 students in total, 2 males students
 and 102 females students majoring in early childhood education in the second semester of
 academic year 2016, Mahasarakham university. The researcher integrated the learning with
 subjects in early childhood education field such as Story and literature for young Children,
 Thai languages and literacy for young children, Independent study in early childhood
 education and Early childhood education quality assurance. The research instruments were
 1) CEECE Farm area for practicing growing vegetables and herbs and 2) Self Reflection from
 the students. Data collection was conducted through three phases including 1) preparation
 2) process and 3) data collection. The researcher analyzed the content by describing and
 drawing conclusions from students opinions about the learning.
 This research revealed: 1. Factors affecting success or barriers to learning include
 students, location, materials, budget, academic advisors and other factors such as climate
 and workloads of students. 2. Students majoring in early childhood education learn the
 Sufficiency Economy Philosophy through practicing at the CEECE farm. Students learn
 Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and knowledge as follows ; 2.1 Moderation: Students learn to use the resources sufficiently. Students realize the value and use resources in order to
 maximize savings ; location, materials and budget. 2.2 Reasonableness: Students learn to
 apply the principles of reason and critical thinking to planning decisions and resolving issues
 arising from the implementation based on information that they have gathered and relies on
 the concept, “if students are consumers, will they buy the products from the shop or not?”
 2.3 Self-immunity: Students learn management skills in regards to time, place, and people.
 Students learn the skills through meaningful and joyful practices. Students learn the principles
 and methods that can be applied to different situations which strengthen self-immunity.
 As a result, they can extend the knowledge to others and society. 2.4 Knowledge condition
 and Moral condition: Students’ proficiency is reinforced through regular practice. By applying
 existing and new knowledge along with morality, ethics, honesty, endurance, perseverance,
 responsibility, unity, punctuality, and kindness to the practice ; students will become
 knowledgeable, self-aware, and attentive.