Implementation of an environmental education program to prevent and control noise pollution in an elementary school in the city of São Paulo

Abstract

Introduction: Some studies have shown that children that live in noisy environments have more difficulty concentrating and learning. The school environment may be negatively affected by the teacher and students’ own production activities. Noise reduction in school may result in calmer, more attentive, more interested and less agitated children. Objectives: To develop interactive noise control activities with students within their learning environment. Methods: This is an exploratory descriptive study developed by means of an intervention research. The sample comprised 11 classes of third and fourth grade students from a public Elementary School in the State of São Paulo. The activities included: story writing, music composition, the development of a toy, the production of a t-shirt with the project’s logo – “Pass On” project, and the presentation of a lecture to the children. Results: Children started to notice how noise was present within the school environment as well as in other daily situations. This study was successful in bringing awareness to the students regarding the consequences of a noisy school environment, allowing them to improve their processing of the information provided by teachers. Conclusion: This study allowed children to identify noise, to get to know their effects, the importance of protecting themselves from this type of pollution, and to acquire healthy hearing habits. We suggest that other programs should be conducted to stablish a routine, providing broader results.