On my way to school. Exploring children’s spatial perception and commuting modes through mental sketches

The study investigates the relationship between primary school pupils’ modes of transportation and their spatial perception, as expressed through mental sketches of home-to-school routes. Conducted at a small rural school in Karmanowice, Poland, the survey involved pupils from 4th to 8th grades, who were asked to draw sketches of their routes and indicate the means of transportation used. Features depicted in the sketches were classified as natural or anthropogenic. The results indicate a dominance of anthropogenic elements across all transportation modes, with pupils travelling by car or bus generally marking more features, whereas walkers provided more detailed information on near-school infrastructure. The study highlights the influence of distance, individual perception, and the limitations of anonymity on the analysis, including the inability to normalize data by precise distance. Despite the small sample size and underrepresentation of certain villages, the findings provide insights into the interplay between commuting and environmental observation, emphasizing the potential of mental sketches for exploring spatial cognition in children. The paper also outlines methodological considerations for future research, including the benefits and ethical challenges of non-anonymous approaches.