COSTA DA LAGOA: REFLECTIONS ABOUT CHILDREN, PLAYING AND NATURE

Abstract

The article presents the research proposal, developed in 2014, with the children of Costa da Lagoa, Azores community, located in Lagoa da Conceição, in Florianópolis (SC). The definition of Costa started from the idea that there are communities that maintain principles of freedom with children, in a way, have the time and space in the natural and cultural environment, to challenge and grow. In this way, the research has as objective the proposal to unravel the meanings found in the relations established by the children living in the Costa da Lagoa, between: being, playing and nature. The methodological definition came from ethnography, with its "look closely and faraway" and his "inside and outside look" and was configured as a path to be followed with a qualitative prevalence and descriptive. The study focuses on children who, in general, are entitled to participate in the social context, according to their wills and their skills, for belonging and part is a right that is won at birth. For data collection were used complementary instruments together: participant observation; notebook; informal conversations; photographs; filming; children's drawings; and participation in community events. Upon completion of the survey, but far from satisfying the concerns as researchers, we conclude that the ethnography provided an opportunity a significant hike the trails and crossings from Costa. Children who live there have the opportunity to carry out activities in the natural environment, among trees, water, land and animals. Children are challenged to overcome fears, to enlarge body movements, to develop self-knowledge and to expand awareness capability.