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Tool for Observing Play Outdoors (TOPO): A New Typology for Capturing Children’s Play Behaviors in Outdoor Environments

Author

Listed:
  • Janet Loebach

    (Design and Environmental Analysis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA)

  • Adina Cox

    (Landscape Architecture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA)

Abstract

Engagement in play has been definitively linked to the healthy development of children across physical, social, cognitive, and emotional domains. The enriched nature of high-quality outdoor play environments can afford a greater diversity of opportunities for play than indoor settings. To more effectively design outdoor play settings, we must better understand how the physical environment supports, or hinders, the different types of play which suit children’s needs and interests. However, play typologies or observation tools available to date do not adequately capture the unique characteristics of outdoor play. This paper outlines the development and testing of the Tool for Observing Play Outdoors (TOPO), a new typology of outdoor play, as well as a systematic field observational protocol which can be used to effectively depict children’s behaviors in outdoor spaces, as well as evaluate the play environment itself. The tool can be deployed in either a collapsed or expanded form to serve the needs of a wide range of studies and environments. This new tool represents a significant advance in the ability to fully and effectively study and plan outdoor play environments to provide more diverse, high-quality play settings that will support the healthy development of children across the spectrum.

Suggested Citation

  • Janet Loebach & Adina Cox, 2020. "Tool for Observing Play Outdoors (TOPO): A New Typology for Capturing Children’s Play Behaviors in Outdoor Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-34, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:15:p:5611-:d:394253
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ballantyne, Roy & Packer, Jan & Sutherland, Lucy A., 2011. "Visitors’ memories of wildlife tourism: Implications for the design of powerful interpretive experiences," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 770-779.
    2. repec:mpr:mprres:4706 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Mariana Brussoni & Rebecca Gibbons & Casey Gray & Takuro Ishikawa & Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter & Adam Bienenstock & Guylaine Chabot & Pamela Fuselli & Susan Herrington & Ian Janssen & William Picket, 2015. "What is the Relationship between Risky Outdoor Play and Health in Children? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-32, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Oliver Traynor & Paul McCrorie & Nai Rui Chng & Anne Martin, 2022. "Evaluating Outdoor Nature-Based Early Learning and Childcare Provision for Children Aged 3 Years: Protocol of a Feasibility and Pilot Quasi-Experimental Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-25, June.
    2. Janet Loebach & Adina Cox, 2022. "Playing in ‘ The Backyard ’: Environmental Features and Conditions of a Natural Playspace Which Support Diverse Outdoor Play Activities among Younger Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-35, October.

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