Förskolebarns uppfattningar kring vattenresurser utifrån ett hållbarhetsperspektiv

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study is to illustrate how preschoolers perceive water resources from the viewpoint of sustainability. The study used semi-structured group interviews, conducted with ten children between the ages of 3-5 years at a preschool in Sweden to answer the aim of this study. Results of this study show that the preschoolers that were included in the study have a range of perceptions when it comes to water resources and ideas on how they can promote sustainability. All of the children could relate to clean water as a necessity for life as well as for good quality of life. The children were found to possess knowledge within certain aspects of the examination area, such as understanding droughts and how warm weather affect water resources. All of the children in the study believe that it is good to save water in different ways, and half of the children believe that we should reduce our water consumption. One of the childrens´ strongest arguments when it comes to keeping water clean was because dirty water can be harmful to humans and animals in different ways. Some of the children drew parallels to other sustainability aspects such as reducing paper consumption and reuse materials. All the children showed understanding that clean water cannot be taken for granted. The results of the study support that childrens´ perceptions and ideas about sustainability-related phenomena should be exploited in the preschools´ work on sustainable development.