Leslie Jenna Kochanowski

M.A.: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio, 2013 (Educational Studies- Developmental & Learning Sciences)

B.S.: Ohio University Athens, Ohio, 2003 (Early Childhood Education)

PhD: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, 2022 (Educational Studies - Developmental and Learning Sciences - Child Development - Early Childhood Education)

Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS); Nature Playscapes; Nature Based Early Learning; Design of Early Learning Environments; Environment-Learning Relationship; Child Development; Quality in Early Childhood Education; Play; Creativity/Inquiry; Pedagogical Values; Teacher Dispostions; Reggio Emilia; Social Justice; Power to the Profession; Qualitative Research; Arts-based Research; Action Research; Practitioner Research; Program Evaluation

2019 -To Present Director of Research & Initiatives, Arlitt Center for Education, Research & Sustainability,

2018 PNC Charitable Trusts Arlitt Children's Studio $50,000 Type:Grant

Peer Reviewed Publications

Schlembach, S., Kochanowski, L., Brown, R. D., & Carr, V.  (2018). Early childhood educators’ perceptions of play and inquiry on a nature playscape. Children, Youth and Environments, 28 (2) , 82-101More Information

Carr, V., Brown, R. D., Schlembach, S., & Kochanowski, L.  (2017). Nature by design: Playscape affordances support the use of executive function in preschoolers. Children, Youth and Environments, 27 (2) , 25-46More Information

Griebling, S., Jacobs, J., Kochanowski, L. & Vaughn, L.  (2016). What preschool children like best about school. Dimensions of Early Childhood, 44 (2) , 18-26

Kochanowski, L. & Carr, V.  (2014). Nature playscapes as contexts for fostering self-determination. Children, Youth and Environments, 24 (2) , 146-167

Carr, V., Kochanowski, L., Konerman, R.  (2015). Playscapes: A photo essay. Journal of Playwork Practice, 2 (1) , 97-102