Educação infantil e sementes crioulas: experiências de ensino em um CMEI do campo

Abstract

This research focused on Early Childhood Education in rural areas, articulated with heirloom seeds, based on teaching experiences developed at a Municipal Early Childhood Education Center (CMEI) in the rural area of Cantinho da Criança, located in the municipality of Tijucas do Sul – PR, a context in which approximately 70% of the economy is related to family farming and the production of organic food. The choice of this space sought to value Early Childhood Education in rural areas, considering the sociocultural context, experiences, identity, and relationship with nature, through pedagogical practices aimed at the sustainable use of land and the appreciation of heirloom seeds and their guardians. Starting from this scenario, the following research problem was defined: what are the possibilities of developing pedagogical practices in Early Childhood Education in rural areas focusing on heirloom seeds? In response to this question, the general objective was to develop pedagogical practices in Early Childhood Education in rural areas focusing on heirloom seeds, aiming at the conservation of agrobiodiversity, the production of healthy food, and food security. This research was characterized as participatory, with an interpretive and qualitative approach, conducted in the daily school routine with children aged 3 to 5 years, from 2023 to 2024. Practical activities involved group discussions, exploration and handling of heirloom seeds, planting, harvesting, consumption of the produced food, and the holding of a Seed Festival at the Early Childhood Education Center (CMEI), with the donation of seeds cultivated by the children. The actions integrated traditional and scientific knowledge, promoting meaningful learning and strengthening children’s protagonism. The results highlight the appreciation of peasant culture, the closer relationship between school, family and community, and the strengthening of the identity of rural children. It is concluded that heirloom seeds constitute a powerful pedagogical axis for a contextualized, meaningful education committed to the principles of Early Childhood Education in Rural Areas.