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Morgenthaler T, Lynch H, Loebach J, Pentland D, Schulze C. Using the Theory of Affordances to Understand Environment-Play Transactions: Environmental Taxonomy of Outdoor Play Space Features-A Scoping Review. Am J Occup Ther 2024; 78:7804185120. [PMID: 38805416 DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2024.050606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The transactions between the physical environment and children's play have not been well studied. The theory of affordances provides a way to better understand how environmental characteristics offer opportunities for play occupation. OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between environmental characteristics of outdoor play spaces and children's outdoor play and to develop an environmental taxonomy to support the analysis of play affordances in community play spaces. DATA SOURCES Peer-reviewed literature (1974-2023) was sourced from a previously published scoping review (Morgenthaler, Schulze, et al., 2023). The Academic Search Complete, Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched using the keywords and synonyms of playground, environmental qualities, and children with and without disabilities. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA COLLECTION A secondary analysis of the previously published scoping review was conducted. Included studies were those that provided descriptions of physical environment-play activity transactions. FINDINGS A qualitative content analysis of 45 articles was conducted and used to form an environmental taxonomy. This taxonomy consisted of 14 space and object categories defined by their functional qualities and linked to play affordances. An array of 284 play occupations were identified in different forms. Play affordances of spaces and object categories and their functional environmental qualities were subsequently identified. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study provides evidence to support the understanding of how the physical environment shapes children's outdoor play occupations. Plain-Language Summary: The study authors developed the Environmental Taxonomy of Outdoor Play Space Features as a tool that occupational therapists can use to better understand and describe how the physical environment shapes opportunities for play. The tool could also be useful to justify environmental intervention in schools and public playgrounds to create spaces that support more play for a diversity of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Morgenthaler
- Thomas Morgenthaler, MSc, is PhD Candidate and P4Play Research Fellow, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland, and Division of Occupational Therapy & Arts Therapies, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom;
| | - Helen Lynch
- Helen Lynch, PhD, MSc, is Senior Lecturer and Graduate Programme Director, P4Play Consortium, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Janet Loebach
- Janet Loebach, PhD, MEDS, is Assistant Professor, Department of Human Centered Design, and Director, DECA Lab (Design Environments with|for Children & Adolescents), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Duncan Pentland
- Duncan Pentland, D Health Soc Sci, MSc, is Division Head, P4Play Consortium, Division of Occupational Therapy & Arts Therapies, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Schulze
- Christina Schulze, PhD, MSc, is Professor, P4Play Consortium, Institute of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland
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Kennedy-Behr A, Webb-Williams JL. Capturing children's play behaviours in outdoor environments: A comparative analysis of play in early adolescence at primary school versus high school. Aust Occup Ther J 2024; 71:76-87. [PMID: 37859498 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transition from primary school to high school can be a time of significant stress for young people. Social connection may mitigate the stress experienced by young people, yet their play activities, which are a key source of connection and friendship, have not been examined. The aim of the study was to capture the play behaviours of children in outdoor school environments. METHODS Children's play behaviours in their final year of primary school and those in their first year of high school were captured using a standardised tool (Tool for Observing Play Outdoors). Observations occurred in school outdoor environments during break times in the South Australian autumn of 2021. Frequencies and types of play were compared between year levels using descriptive statistics and contingency tables. Data were collected from four schools (two metropolitan and two regional), which were all from a similar level on the Index of Educational Disadvantage. Four observation sessions were held at each school. RESULTS Parents of 42 (16 girls) primary school students and 85 (33 girls) high school students gave permission for their children to participate. Physical play was the most frequent activity observed in both primary school and high school followed by expressive play. Year level was significantly associated with the type of play engaged in. CONCLUSION Findings demonstrate children in the first year of high school continue to engage in physical and social play albeit less than those in the final year of primary school. Further research is needed to determine whether the physical and social environment or onset of puberty is more influential on changes in children's play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Kennedy-Behr
- Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
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Robinson T, Dhamrait G, Murray K, Boruff B, Duncan J, Schipperijn J, Christian H. Association between preschooler outdoor play and home yard vegetation as measured by high resolution imagery: Findings from the PLAYCE study. Health Place 2024; 85:103178. [PMID: 38262260 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Outdoor play in the home yard is an important source of physical activity for many preschoolers. This study investigated if home yard size and vegetation are related to preschooler outdoor play time. High-resolution remotely sensed data were used to distinguish between types of vegetation coverage in the home yard. Shrub and tree cover, and yard size, were positively associated with outdoor play. Following stratification by socio-economic status (SES - parent education), only tree cover was positively associated with preschooler outdoor play in low SES households. All types of vegetation cover were positively associated with preschooler outdoor play in higher SES households. This study highlights the importance of larger yard sizes and higher levels of vegetation for facilitating outdoor play in preschoolers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trina Robinson
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Northern Entrance, Perth Children's Hospital, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - Gursimran Dhamrait
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Northern Entrance, Perth Children's Hospital, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia; School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Clifton St Building, Clifton St, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - Kevin Murray
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Clifton St Building, Clifton St, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - Bryan Boruff
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - John Duncan
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - Jasper Schipperijn
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Hayley Christian
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Northern Entrance, Perth Children's Hospital, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia; School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Clifton St Building, Clifton St, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
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Karaba Bäckström M, Lundgreen E, Slaug B. Mitigating the effects of climate change in children's outdoor play environments. Scand J Occup Ther 2024; 31:1-13. [PMID: 38014493 DOI: 10.1080/11038128.2023.2275697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For many children, public playgrounds represent environments that are playful and important in developing good health. Without efforts to facilitate climate change adaptation of outdoor playgrounds there may be a negative impact on children's health and well-being. AIM With a special focus on play value, to explore the reasoning and described strategies among professionals responsible for development, planning and solutions concerning outdoor playgrounds in the context of climate change. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eight semi-structured interviews were held with purposefully selected interviewees. Analysis was conducted with manifest content analysis. RESULTS Four themes with supporting categories; 1: a new design paradigm for outdoor play environments, 2: a need for updated regulation- and security guidelines for outdoor play environments, 3: nature-based play environments are more climate change resilient, and 4: maintenance and construction of nature-based outdoor play environments. The findings showed an overall awareness and a will to use innovative and nature-based strategies and planning to deal with climate change implications for outdoor play environments. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE The findings suggest that the strategies employed lean towards implementation of increased ecosystem services and natural elements. Ensuring strengthened resilience against hazardous climate change effects may positively facilitate diverse play activities with high play value.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Björn Slaug
- Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Pereira JV, Dionísio J, Lopes F, Cordovil R. Playing at the Schoolyard: "The Who's, the What's and the How Long's" of Loose Parts. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10020240. [PMID: 36832369 PMCID: PMC9955568 DOI: 10.3390/children10020240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Play has a key role in children psychomotor development, and the quality of play spaces can be a facilitator of the former. The physical properties of the environment, such as equipment or material available, can influence children's behavior. However, it is not clear how the provision of different loose parts impacts children's play patterns. This study aimed to analyze the influence of four types of loose parts on the time, frequency and number of children using them during free play sessions. We recorded the 1st, 5th and 10th sessions delivered by playworkers in a primary school, with 14 children (Mage = 9.96 years). The available loose parts were categorized, and four types of materials were chosen: tarpaulin/fabrics, cardboard boxes, plastic crates and plastic tubes. The influence of these materials on the time spent using them, frequency of use and number and sex of users (dependent variables) was analyzed. Some tendencies emerged, such as the popularity of tarpaulin/fabrics, but results showed no significant differences between materials. This could mean that the specific physical qualities of each loose part were not determiners of the behavioral domains analyzed. These findings suggest that all types of materials studied can be meaningful for children to engage with in diverse play opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana V. Pereira
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Estudo da Performance Humana, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz-Quebrada, 1499-002 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório de Comportamento Motor, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz-Quebrada, 1499-002 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jadiane Dionísio
- Faculdade de Educação Física e Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38400-678, Brazil
| | - Frederico Lopes
- Laboratório de Comportamento Motor, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz-Quebrada, 1499-002 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Cordovil
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Estudo da Performance Humana, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz-Quebrada, 1499-002 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório de Comportamento Motor, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz-Quebrada, 1499-002 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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Morgenthaler T, Schulze C, Pentland D, Lynch H. Environmental Qualities That Enhance Outdoor Play in Community Playgrounds from the Perspective of Children with and without Disabilities: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1763. [PMID: 36767130 PMCID: PMC9913926 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
For children, playgrounds are important environments. However, children's perspectives are often not acknowledged in playground provision, design, and evaluation. This scoping review aimed to summarize the users' (children with and without disabilities) perspectives on environmental qualities that enhance their play experiences in community playgrounds. Published peer-reviewed studies were systematically searched in seven databases from disciplines of architecture, education, health, and social sciences; 2905 studies were screened, and the last search was performed in January 2023. Included studies (N = 51) were charted, and a qualitative content analysis was conducted. Five themes were formed which provided insights into how both physical and social environmental qualities combined provide for maximum play value in outdoor play experiences. These multifaceted play experiences included the desire for fun, challenge, and intense play, the wish to self-direct play, and the value of playing alone as well as with known people and animals. Fundamentally, children wished for playgrounds to be children's places that were welcoming, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. The results are discussed in respect to social, physical, and atmospheric environmental affordances and the adult's role in playground provision. This scoping review represents the valuable insights of children regardless of abilities and informs about how to maximise outdoor play experiences for all children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Morgenthaler
- Department Health, Institute of Occupational Therapy, Zurich University of Applied Science, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University College Cork, T12 AK54 Cork, Ireland
- Division of Occupational Therapy & Arts Therapies, Queen Margret University Edinburgh Scotland, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK
| | - Christina Schulze
- Department Health, Institute of Occupational Therapy, Zurich University of Applied Science, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Duncan Pentland
- Division of Occupational Therapy & Arts Therapies, Queen Margret University Edinburgh Scotland, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK
| | - Helen Lynch
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University College Cork, T12 AK54 Cork, Ireland
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