Connection with Nature in children’s reference adults

• Published in: Ambiente & sociedade 2022, Vol.25
• Main Authors: Paz, Damaris Teixeira, Zacarias, Elisa Ferrari Justulin, Higuchi, Maria Inês Gasparetto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Age groups; Childhood; Childhood factors; Children; Connection with nature; Contact with nature; COVID-19; Education; Environmental behaviour; Environmentalism; Mothers; Nature; Parents & parenting; Parents, Teachers; Public schools; Sociodemographics; Teachers; Well being; Young adults
• ISSN: 1414-753X; 1809-4422
• DOI: 10.1590/1809-4422asoc20200013r1vu2022l2oa

Abstract Positive experiences with nature during childhood are a strong predictor of Connection with Nature (CWN) throughout life, which has a strong explanatory factor of integral well-being and pro-environmental behavior. The objective of this study was to verify the CWN level of adults and the frequency with which they promote contact with nature to the children in their care. The research protocol included two CWN scales, questions about contact with nature, and sociodemographic data. Thus, 58 parents and 150 teachers of basic education from public schools in Manaus-AM participated in the study. Results showed these adults’ education area, age group, and frequency of contact with green areas are significant to differentiate their CN levels. Area of education is also an important factor in determining how often parents and teachers take children to green areas. Resumen Las experiencias positivas con la naturaleza durante la infancia son un fuerte predictor de la Conexión con la Naturaleza (CN) a lo largo de la vida, que tiene un fuerte factor explicativo de bienestar integral y comportamiento proambiental. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar el nivel de CN de los adultos y la frecuencia con que promueven el contacto con la naturaleza a los niños a su cargo. El protocolo de investigación incluyó dos escalas CN, preguntas sobre el contacto con la naturaleza y datos sociodemográficos. El estudio incluyó a 58 padres/madres y 150 maestros de educación primaria de escuelas públicas en Manaus-AM. Los resultados mostraron que el área de formación, edad y frecuencia de contacto con áreas verdes de estos adultos son significativas para diferenciar sus niveles de CWN. El área de capacitación también es un factor importante para determinar la frecuencia con la que los padres/madres y maestros llevan a los niños a las áreas verdes. Resumo As experiências positivas com a natureza durante a infância são um forte preditor da Conexão com a Natureza (CN) ao longo da vida, a qual tem forte fator explicativo de bem-estar integral e comportamento pró-ambiental. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o nível de CN de adultos e a frequência com que promovem o contato com a natureza às crianças sob seus cuidados. O protocolo de pesquisa incluiu duas escalas de CN, questões sobre contato com a natureza e dados sociodemográficos. Participaram do estudo 58 pais/mães e 150 docentes da educação básica de escolas públicas de Manaus-AM. Os resultados mostraram que a área de form