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

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  • 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
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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.

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