Brazilian children´s drawings of Human Pregnancy

Biology is uniquely about living things which are able to reproduce their own kind, of which our species
is but one. Human children become intrigues by reproduction particularly pregnancy and the growth of
the baby before its birth and with copulation and other sexual manifestations in their societies. This study
reviewed the literature on young children’s development of ideas surrounding pregnancy and particularly
growth and feeding of the baby before birth. Eleven Brazilian children between the ages of 6 years and 12
were asked to draw their understanding of the position of a baby before birth inside its mother. They were
given a blank piece of paper. Their drawings were examined and a commentary written. The results show
a varied understanding within this small sample form one cross age sample in a state primary school.
Apart from 2 focused on reproduction in two invertebrates, one illustrating sperm at an egg, and two of
situations associated with pregnancy the drawing indicated the position of a baby within the mother’s
abdomen. Suggestions for teacher training are suggested that practitioners, and parents, have a more
comprehensive and less personal knowledge of human reproduction and how it fits into the overall
biological unique phenomenon of New Life creation in all organisms. Whilst only a few results were
obtained they revealed misunderstanding of where the fetus is positioned inside a human mother and
several girls were concerned about the emotions of the expectant mother but showed the everyday
knowledge the children had acquired in their lives. The conclusion of this short work is that biological
literacy is inadequate in the child population but the more emotive aspects or hazards have some
recognition.