The importance of nature bonding in child creativity: an exploration based on free play, motricity and aesthetic education

Abstract

Scientific studies which are currently emerging from various disciplines warn about the consequences of the disconnection of people from natural environments. Following this approach, the research presented here seeks to offer a vision of nature focused on creativity, in order to observe nature’s influence on the latter. For the analysis of this relationship, we have based ourselves on three elements: free play, motricity and aesthetic education, as they are the main forms of expression of creativity in children. In order to conduct this research, a case study was carried out on the Josep Maria Xandri School in the town of Sant Pere de Torelló. Applying a qualitative methodology and an interpretative paradigm, we have opted for a symbolic interactionism, that is to say, a study that seeks to explore a reality based on the attributions of meaning generated by the interaction of people. In conclusion, on the basis of the collected data, we have verified the positive impact that nature has on children’s creativity and on their harmonious integral development.