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ABSTRACT
Children’s experiences with nature may develop ecological literacy and enhance their psychological well-being. However, a limited understanding of how the village landscape has functional impacts on the children’s play behaviour and perceptual performances can influence ecological literacy. This study investigated children’s preferences in the village landscape stimulated by their play behaviour and knowledge, which becomes a basis for ecological literacy. Seventy-one responses from middle-aged children were elicited using drawings and go-along methods. Data were analysed using NVivo 12 Plus for content analysis. The results revealed that children who preferred being outdoors were associated with play activities, which directly influenced ecological literacy. The findings showed that the children were related to the wilderness, interspecific relations with animals and plants, physical work, recreation and socialising, rurality and natural beauty. The children expressed a strong affiliation to their everyday environment in which the village landscape became a milieu for ecological literacy.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank all the children, teachers, parents, and chief villagers for participating and giving permission in conducting this study. A special thank you to all the research assistants for helping in collecting data with the children.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Correction Statement
This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Sarah Alia Norazlan
Sarah Alia Norazlan is a PhD student at the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Her research interests include children’s use of place, outdoor play and natural learning, and the current challenges of connecting children to the natural environment.
Ismail Said
Ismail Said is a professor of landscape architecture at the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. His expertise focuses on architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture include urban greening and ecosystem services, and wood carving. He has published more than 130 journal articles, five books on landscape architecture and architecture materials, and an article on woodcarving in Malay architecture.