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Children’s Pictorial Expression of Plant Life and Its Connection with School-Based Greenness

Author

Listed:
  • Ilargi Zaballa

    (Faculty of Education Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Maria Merino

    (Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • José Domingo Villarroel

    (Faculty of Education Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain)

Abstract

Previous research highlights the positive influence that experiences in nature have on children’s physical, emotional and conceptual development. There is also evidence that indicates that the availability of green areas on school grounds is associated with pupils’ better academic performance as well as with their comprehension of wildlife. This study examines the drawings that 152 children completed with the objective of expressing their understanding of the plant world. Approximately half of the drawings were depicted by children that attend a school with green areas within the school site as well as in the surrounding area. The remaining half of the sample includes the illustrations that children attending an educational centre with, virtually, no green areas within the school premises or in the immediate vicinity. Notwithstanding the fact that the two schools involved in the study belong to a similar social context and they are relatively close to each other, the results show relevant differences between the drawings by the two groups compared, in terms of the pictorial content and the utilisation of colour. The results are discussed in light of the growing number of studies that emphasise the positive impact that close contact with nature has on children’s everyday life at school.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilargi Zaballa & Maria Merino & José Domingo Villarroel, 2021. "Children’s Pictorial Expression of Plant Life and Its Connection with School-Based Greenness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4999-:d:546171
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katayama, Naoki & Baba, Yuki G., 2020. "Measuring artistic inspiration drawn from ecosystems and biodiversity: A case study of old children’s songs in Japan," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    2. José Domingo Villarroel & Xabier Villanueva, 2017. "A Study Regarding the Representation of the Sun in Young Children’s Spontaneous Drawings," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-11, August.
    3. José Domingo Villarroel & Alvaro Antón & Daniel Zuazagoitia & Teresa Nuño, 2018. "A Study on the Spontaneous Representation of Animals in Young Children’s Drawings of Plant Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-11, March.
    4. Ploger, Jorg, 2008. "Bilbao city report," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 3624, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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