Preschool Children's Perceptions of Environmental Pollution: An Investigation of Children's Drawings and Narratives

Abstract

It is essential to develop sensitivity of children regarding environmental issues to be able to raise them as environmentally conscious citizens. This study focused on preschool children's (5-year-old children) perceptions and feelings regarding the environmental pollution, which is one of the significant global problems. Data were collected from 55 children from three different preschools through their drawings and short interviews and analyzed with the content analysis. As a result, it was revealed that the majority of the children gave place elements regarding air and water pollution in their drawings and also identified its influence on human. Moreover, children's feelings reflected in their drawings were also analyzed and reached as sadness, hopefulness, and responsibility. It was concluded that environmental education is necessary to create children's awareness of different forms of the environmental pollution and its impact on different elements of the environment.