Frogs in the drain - children's perceptions of the tropical landscape

Abstract

Children's perceptions of their environment carry with them into adulthood, determining their capacity to learn about and interact with their world. It is, therefore, important for children to have an informed knowledge of the role, value and function of the environment. The Arts and storytelling are ideal tools with which to glean understanding of children's knowledge of the environment and teach environmental sustainability.

Children in urban and rural settings in far north Queensland were asked to draw pictures and tell stories about the environment in which they live. This paper examines, both quantitatively and qualitatively, their creative representations of the tropical landscape.