بررسی تأثیر جایگزینی آموزش‌های زیست‌محیطی هنر‌محور در بستر طبیعت در ضرورت رفع گسست نسلی کودکان معاصر با مفاهیم و بایسته‌های محیط زیست

فائزه السادات حسنی حلم

Authors

Faezeh Sadat Hasani Helm Master of Arts Research, Iran University of Arts, Tehran, Iran Corresponding author

Keywords:

Environmental education, environmental art, art-based education, children, nature, generational gap, sustainable development

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of replacing conventional environmental education with nature-based art-oriented environmental education on addressing the generational disconnect of contemporary children from environmental concepts and responsibilities from the perspectives of experts in education, environmental studies, child art education, and childhood studies. This qualitative study was conducted using a grounded theory approach. The study population consisted of environmental education specialists, university faculty members, child art educators, managers of nature-based educational centers, and researchers in childhood and youth studies in Tehran, Iran. Participants were selected through purposive and theoretical sampling, resulting in a final sample of 22 experts. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding procedures. Trustworthiness was enhanced through member checking, peer review, and constant comparative analysis throughout the research process. Data analysis led to the identification of a core category labeled “the generational disconnect of contemporary children from environmental concepts and requirements.” Findings indicated that reduced direct experiences with nature, the dominance of digital technologies, urbanization, and limitations of formal environmental education were among the primary factors contributing to this disconnect. The results further revealed that conventional environmental education, due to its emphasis on theoretical knowledge transmission, has limited effectiveness in fostering sustainable environmental attitudes and behaviors. In contrast, nature-based art-oriented environmental education promotes experiential learning, emotional engagement, creativity, multisensory interaction, and active participation, thereby strengthening children’s connection with nature, improving environmental literacy, enhancing ecological sensitivity, and encouraging environmentally responsible behaviors. The findings suggest that replacing traditional environmental education with nature-based art-oriented approaches represents an educational and cultural necessity in contemporary societies.

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