Perception of nature through children's drawings in a quilombola community

Abstract

The Brazilian semiarid region faces socio-environmental challenges characterized by water scarcity, soil degradation, and anthropogenic pressures on the Caatinga biome. In this context, understanding children's environmental perceptions is crucial for informing educational practices and conservation strategies. This study aimed to assess the nature perceptions of children in grades 1 through 3 of elementary school within a quilombola community located in the Boqueirão da Onça Environmental Protection Area (EPA), using drawings as a methodological tool. Elements within the drawings were analyzed, taking into account total frequency and differences by age and sex (female and male). The results revealed a predominance of flora and fauna in the representations, whereas abiotic and anthropogenic elements appeared less frequently. The study concludes that children's drawings serve as an effective tool for understanding the emotional bonds children form with nature, while also pointing toward pathways for preservation within the EPA and the valuing of local knowledge in environmental education.