USING MIND MAPS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CREATIVE THINKING IN PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Keywords:
indoor plants; environmental education; primary school students; mind map; visualization; imagination; associative thinking; creative thinking; ecological awareness; science education;Abstract
Improving the effectiveness of the educational process remains one of the most pressing challenges of modern education systems. For primary school students, who’s visual and imagery-based thinking is highly developed, learning through direct interaction with familiar and observable phenomena proves particularly effective. In this context, the cultivation of indoor plants provides valuable opportunities for integrating knowledge from biology, ecology, physics, and other natural sciences while fostering environmental awareness.
This study explores the use of a Mind Map titled “Growing Indoor Plants” as a visualization tool for presenting learning content and supporting students’ cognitive development. The research demonstrates that mind map–based visualization not only enhances students’ understanding of natural processes but also contributes to the development of environmental education, imagination, associative thinking, and creative thinking skills. In addition, engaging students in observing and caring for indoor plants encourages a positive emotional attitude toward nature and promotes environmentally responsible behavior.
The findings indicate that the proposed mind map serves as an effective pedagogical tool for developing students’ imagination and creative thinking while simultaneously strengthening their ecological awareness. The study is intended for primary school teachers, students of pedagogical institutes, and researchers interested in innovative approaches to environmental and science education.
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