From scrap materials to imagination: Environmental Education through free play

The article addresses the relevance of free play in Early Childhood Education, with an emphasis on the use of unstructured materials, such as recycled objects, to foster children’s creativity and imagination. By re-signifying simple objects, children exercise their autonomy while incorporating sustainability values, thus promoting Environmental Education. The text reflects on the challenges faced by institutions in implementing this practice, highlighting the need for continuous teacher training. As an example, the “Baú Brincante” project is presented, which uses unstructured materials to enrich playful and pedagogical experiences. The qualitative and bibliographical research highlights the pedagogical benefits of using recycled materials. The results indicate that free play, associated with the reuse of materials, plays an essential role in child development, strengthening children’s creativity and ecological awareness. https://doi.org/10.21723/riaee.v20i00.2053902