Abstract

GALVAO, Dulce Maria Pereira Garcia  and  SILVA, Isília Aparecida da. Breastfeeding in Environmental Studies textbooks used in the first cycle of basic education. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2011, vol.serIII, n.4, pp.7-16. ISSN 0874-0283.

In order to get to know how breastfeeding is approached in 1st cycle basic education children’s textbooks, and what they learn in school about this subject, we analysed, 19 Environmental Studies textbooks, used in 73 public schools, from the 1st to 4th years of education, in six school clusters in the Coimbra education area in Portugal. In the analysis of the concepts presented to the child, we defined a priori some considered essential to teach and explain to children the basics of breastfeeding. Only two school books for the 3rd year each included content on "We are mammals. We feed at the breast of our mothers after birth” and “It is natural to take breast milk after birth”. Analysis of the manuals showed that there are many opportunities to teach, enlighten and help the child to learn about a breastfeeding culture because this topic may be included in various chapters of the educational program; however, these opportunities are wasted and in this didactic material various illustrations used promote a culture of artificial feeding.

Keywords : breastfeeding; health promotion; school curriculum; school manual.

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