ACTIVE METHODOLOGIES AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: THE TEACHER'S LEADING ROLE IN THE TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS

Abstract

Environmental education in childhood has become a strategic field for the formation of conscious, critical individuals committed to sustainability, especially in the face of contemporary socio-environmental challenges that demand behavioral changes and greater collective responsibility from the earliest school years. In this scenario, it becomes necessary to rethink traditional pedagogical practices and incorporate innovative approaches that favor student protagonism, meaningful learning, and the active construction of knowledge. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the contributions of active methodologies and digital technologies in early childhood environmental education, with an emphasis on the teacher's role in the teaching-learning process. The research is characterized as a qualitative and exploratory literature review, developed from the analysis of 16 scientific articles published between 2021 and 2026, all in Portuguese, selected from the Google Scholar and SciELO databases, considering inclusion criteria related to thematic relevance, timeliness, and academic importance. The data were analyzed through thematic analysis, which allowed for... The organization of information into interpretive axes revealed that active methodologies significantly contribute to the development of children's autonomy, participation, and critical thinking, while digital technologies expand the possibilities for interaction, communication, and knowledge construction, making the educational process more dynamic, attractive, and aligned with the students' reality. Furthermore, it was found that the teacher plays a central role as a mediator, being responsible for planning, guiding, and integrating these approaches in an intentional and contextualized way. However, challenges related to teacher training, limited technological resources, and difficulties in implementing innovative practices in daily school life were also identified. It is concluded that the articulation between active methodologies, digital technologies, and early childhood environmental education represents a promising strategy for the formation of more conscious and engaged individuals regarding environmental issues, provided it is accompanied by investments in continuing education and adequate structural conditions, thus contributing to the strengthening of more meaningful, inclusive, and transformative pedagogical practices.