Environment in the views of preschool children: an investigation of children's drawings and narratives in Turkey

The environment consists of different interrelated elements including biotic, abiotic, and anthropic. It is essential to understand the interrelations between these systems to be able solve environmental problems (e.g. climate change, pollution). In particular, it is necessary to develop such a systematic vision of the environment from the childhood years to raise them as environmentally conscious citizens. This study focused on preschoolers' (5-year-old children) systematic vision and feelings regarding the environment in Samsun, which is the central city in the north region of Turkey. Data were collected from 51 children from three different preschools through their drawings and short interviews and then analysed with content analysis. As a result, findings presented the biotic, abiotic, and anthropic elements in their drawings. It was revealed that the majority of the children have a high level of complexity in their vision by representing different elements of the environment together. Moreover, children's feelings reflected in their drawings were also analysed and reached as happiness, love, and responsibility. It was concluded that children's social and emotional development can be supported through natural environment.