Sustainable Educational Toys: a playful and eco-pedagogical tool for cognitive development.

Abstract

Considering human difficulties, the ecopedagogical approach seeks to reactivate essential and intrinsic human characteristics within the development process. The research contributes to raising awareness of caring for oneself and the environment, changing paradigms, attitudes, and habits necessary for the formation of a conscious citizen, sensitive to overall development. In this context, the research proposes the following fundamental study question: Does the creation of educational toys with recycled materials contribute to the pursuit of quality sustainable education? The problem seeks to demonstrate the relevance of educational resources (toys) made with recycled materials in facilitating learning and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the UN. The main objective is to stimulate the active development of students, helping them understand that their actions benefit and transform the environment and foster playful and sustainable learning. The research was conducted from 2022 to 2024 based on a bibliographic survey and a qualitative approach, using scientific articles, theses, and dissertations from Google Scholar, Dialnet, DOAJ, SciELO, and other databases. All authors agree that playful activities aid the cognitive development of school-age children, facilitating learning. When these activities are accompanied by pedagogical tools, they become more stimulating and enjoyable. Therefore, the use of these tools is recommended as facilitators of the teaching and learning process.