Percepções e contato com a natureza entre crianças durante a pandemia de Covid - 19

Abstract

Environmental problems are one of the most significant challenges that humanity currently faces and, in this scenario, children are important agents of transformation, since studies suggest that those who perceive themselves to be more connected to nature tend to present pro-environmental behaviors in adulthood. The study of the connectedness with nature aims to better understand and explain the elements that influence or interfere in the relationship between nature and human being. The connectedness with nature construct comprises a multidimensional concept of relationship with the natural world, referring to a cognitive, affective and experiential dimension. It contributes to the healthy development of children, promotes well-being and influences environmentally friendly behaviors. The present study investigated the perception and contact with nature of 50 children aged between 7 and 11, elementary school students in a private school in Porto Seguro (Bahia State, Brazil), before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The qualitative research used the meta-presential focus group as a technique to collect data. Qualitative data were analyzed according to the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD) methodological strategy and quantitative data are presented as word clouds. The results reveal that children understand nature as a place that is sometimes distant from their daily lives. However, it comprises a place of fun, leisure and rest, beneficial for well-being, with emphasis on its functional and utilitarian importance. Aspects of the natural world related to biotic and abiotic elements were highlighted to conceptualize nature, in addition to natural phenomena. The biotic elements (plants) are among the most cited words. About 76% of children consider themselves as part of nature, which assumes a cognitive dimension of connectedness. Children's contact with nature (experiential dimension) happens while they play in natural environments, when they care for, help and live with the natural environment. In all, 80% of children believe that they had frequent contact with nature during the pandemic, with 28% pointing out that such experiences increased during the pandemic due to having more free time and realizing the importance of staying connected. In addition, 42% of children missed contact with nature during the pandemic period. Ten central ideas were identified in speeches that show children's interest in being in contact with nature in a post-pandemic context. Therefore, we assume those data can support public policies and educational strategies that favor greater contact and connectedness with nature, potentially minimizing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on children