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Dutch Primary Schoolchildren’s Perspectives of Activity-Friendly School Playgrounds: A Participatory Study

Author

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  • Helena Elisabeth (Elsje) Caro

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, VU University Medical Center, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam 1081 BT, The Netherlands)

  • Teatske Maria Altenburg

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, VU University Medical Center, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam 1081 BT, The Netherlands)

  • Christine Dedding

    (Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands)

  • Mai Jeanette Maidy Chinapaw

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, VU University Medical Center, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam 1081 BT, The Netherlands)

Abstract

School playgrounds are important physical activity (PA) environments for children, yet only a small number of children reaches the target of 40% of moderate-to-vigorous PA time during recess. The aim of this study was to explore children’s perspectives ( i.e. , child-identified determinants) of activity-friendly school playgrounds. We conducted participatory research with children as co-researchers, framed as a project to give children the opportunity to discuss their views and ideas about their school playgrounds. At three schools, six children (9–12 years old) met over five to seven group meetings. Data analysis included children’s conclusions obtained during the project and the researcher’s analysis of written reports of all meetings. Children indicated a strong desire for fun and active play, with physical playground characteristics and safety, rules and supervision, peer-interactions, and variation in equipment/games as important determinants. Our results indicate that improving activity-friendliness of playgrounds requires an integrated and multi-faceted approach. It also indicates that children, as primary users, are able to identify barriers for active play that are easily overlooked, unknown or differently perceived by adults. Hence, we believe that structural involvement of children in designing, developing and improving playgrounds may increase children’s’ active play and consequently PA levels during recess.

Suggested Citation

  • Helena Elisabeth (Elsje) Caro & Teatske Maria Altenburg & Christine Dedding & Mai Jeanette Maidy Chinapaw, 2016. "Dutch Primary Schoolchildren’s Perspectives of Activity-Friendly School Playgrounds: A Participatory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:6:p:526-:d:70745
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Casey Gray & Rebecca Gibbons & Richard Larouche & Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter & Adam Bienenstock & Mariana Brussoni & Guylaine Chabot & Susan Herrington & Ian Janssen & William Pickett & Marlene Powe, 2015. "What Is the Relationship between Outdoor Time and Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Physical Fitness in Children? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Kaori Ishii & Ai Shibata & Mai Sato & Koichiro Oka, 2014. "Recess Physical Activity and Perceived School Environment among Elementary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-12, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jhu-Ting Yang & Ching-I Chen & Meng-Cong Zheng, 2023. "Elevating Children’s Play Experience: A Design Intervention to Enhance Children’s Social Interaction in Park Playgrounds," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Manou Anselma & Mai Jeanette Maidy Chinapaw & Teatske Maria Altenburg, 2018. "Determinants of Child Health Behaviors in a Disadvantaged Area from a Community Perspective: A Participatory Needs Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Lisan M. Hidding & Teatske M. Altenburg & Evi Van Ekris & Mai J. M. Chinapaw, 2017. "Why Do Children Engage in Sedentary Behavior? Child- and Parent-Perceived Determinants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-27, June.
    4. Thomas Morgenthaler & Christina Schulze & Duncan Pentland & Helen Lynch, 2023. "Environmental Qualities That Enhance Outdoor Play in Community Playgrounds from the Perspective of Children with and without Disabilities: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-30, January.
    5. Ana Lourenço & Fernando Martins & Beatriz Pereira & Rui Mendes, 2021. "Children Are Back to School, but Is Play Still in Lockdown? Play Experiences, Social Interactions, and Children’s Quality of Life in Primary Education in the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-15, November.
    6. Tineke Abma & Sarah Lips & Janine Schrijver, 2020. "Sowing Seeds to Harvest Healthier Adults: The Working Principles and Impact of Participatory Health Research with Children in a Primary School Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-20, January.

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