IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i3p1763-d1039889.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Environmental Qualities That Enhance Outdoor Play in Community Playgrounds from the Perspective of Children with and without Disabilities: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Duncan Pentland

    (Division of Occupational Therapy & Arts Therapies, Queen Margret University Edinburgh Scotland, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Helen Lynch

    (Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University College Cork, T12 AK54 Cork, Ireland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:1763-:d:1039889
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/3/1763/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/3/1763/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Llewellyn Wishart & Carolina Cabezas-Benalcázar & Anne-Marie Morrissey & Vincent L. Versace, 2019. "Traditional vs naturalised design: a comparison of affordances and physical activity in two preschool playscapes," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(8), pages 1031-1049, November.
    2. Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter & Ole Johan Sando & Rasmus Kleppe, 2021. "Associations between Children’s Risky Play and ECEC Outdoor Play Spaces and Materials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Alice Moore & Helen Lynch & Bryan Boyle, 2022. "A national study of playground professionals universal design implementation practices," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(5), pages 611-627, July.
    4. Inger Lerstrup & Cecil Konijnendijk van den Bosch, 2017. "Affordances of outdoor settings for children in preschool: revisiting heft’s functional taxonomy," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(1), pages 47-62, January.
    5. Matluba Khan & Simon Bell & Sarah McGeown & Eva Silveirinha de Oliveira, 2020. "Designing an outdoor learning environment for and with a primary school community: a case study in Bangladesh," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(1), pages 95-110, January.
    6. Helen Woolley & Alison Lowe, 2013. "Exploring the Relationship between Design Approach and Play Value of Outdoor Play Spaces," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(1), pages 53-74, February.
    7. Rianne Van Melik & Nick Althuizen, 2022. "Inclusive Play Policies: Disabled Children And Their Access To Dutch Playgrounds," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 113(2), pages 117-130, April.
    8. Maeghan E. James & Emma Jianopoulos & Timothy Ross & Ron Buliung & Kelly P. Arbour-Nicitopoulos, 2022. "Children’s Usage of Inclusive Playgrounds: A Naturalistic Observation Study of Play," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-16, October.
    9. Anne Dahl Refshauge & Ulrika K. Stigsdotter & Bettina Lamm & Kristin Thorleifsdottir, 2015. "Evidence-Based Playground Design: Lessons Learned from Theory to Practice," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(2), pages 226-246, February.
    10. 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.
    11. Checkoway, Barry, 2011. "What is youth participation?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 340-345, February.
    12. 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.
    13. Jenny Veitch & Elliott Flowers & Kylie Ball & Benedicte Deforche & Anna Timperio, 2020. "Exploring Children’s Views on Important Park Features: A Qualitative Study Using Walk-Along Interviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-14, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Misagh Mottaghi & Maria Kylin & Sandra Kopljar & Catharina Sternudd, 2021. "Blue-Green Playscapes: Exploring Children’s Places in Stormwater Spaces in Augustenborg, Malmö," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(2), pages 175-188.
    2. Rianne Jansens & Maria Prellwitz & Alexandra Olofsson & Helen Lynch, 2023. "The Representation of Children’s Participation in Guidelines for Planning and Designing Public Playspaces: A Scoping Review with “Best Fit” Framework Synthesis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Avril Johnstone & Anne Martin & Rita Cordovil & Ingunn Fjørtoft & Susanna Iivonen & Boris Jidovtseff & Frederico Lopes & John J. Reilly & Hilary Thomson & Valerie Wells & Paul McCrorie, 2022. "Nature-Based Early Childhood Education and Children’s Social, Emotional and Cognitive Development: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-30, May.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. Rosario Padial-Ruz & Mª Esther Puga-González & Álvaro Céspedes-Jiménez & David Cabello-Manrique, 2021. "Determining Factors in the Use of Urban Parks That Influence the Practice of Physical Activity in Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-23, March.
    7. Pai Tang & Helen Woolley, 2023. "Optimizing Urban Children’s Outdoor Play Spaces: Affordances, Supervision, and Design Dynamics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-12, October.
    8. Marie C. Gramkow & Ulrik Sidenius & Gaochao Zhang & Ulrika K. Stigsdotter, 2021. "From Evidence to Design Solution—On How to Handle Evidence in the Design Process of Sustainable, Accessible and Health-Promoting Landscapes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-23, March.
    9. Xue Meng & Mohan Wang, 2022. "Comparative Review of Environmental Audit Tools for Public Open Spaces from the Perspective of Children’s Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-16, October.
    10. Tjahja, Nadia & Potjomkina, Diana, 2024. "An agent of change: Youth meta-participation at the internet governance forum," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(5).
    11. Pritzker, Suzanne & LaChapelle, Alicia & Tatum, Jeremy, 2012. "“We need their help”: Encouraging and discouraging adolescent civic engagement through Photovoice," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(11), pages 2247-2254.
    12. Dilek Altun, 2022. "Family Ecology as a Context for Children’s Executive Function Development: the Home Literacy Environment, Play, and Screen Time," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(4), pages 1465-1488, August.
    13. Gazit, Matan & Perry-Hazan, Lotem, 2020. "Disadvantaged youth’s participation in collective decision making," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    14. Miller, J. Jay & Donohue-Dioh, Jessica & Duron, Jacquelynn F. & Geiger, Jennifer M., 2019. "Examining legal representation for foster youth: Perspectives of foster parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.
    15. Natsuko Imai & Akiko Shikano & Tetsuhiro Kidokoro & Shingo Noi, 2022. "Risky Play and Social Behaviors among Japanese Preschoolers: Direct Observation Method," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, June.
    16. 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.
    17. Nir, Tal & Perry-Hazan, Lotem, 2016. "The framed right to participate in municipal youth councils and its educational impact," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 174-183.
    18. Sala-Torrent, Mireia & Planas-Lladó, Anna, 2024. "Enhancing youth Voices: Exploring community participation through youth workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    19. Naseem, Farhat, 2020. "The role of Youth Leadership Development Program: The case of immigrant communities in Canada," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    20. Heejin Han & Sang Wuk Ahn, 2020. "Youth Mobilization to Stop Global Climate Change: Narratives and Impact," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:1763-:d:1039889. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.