Physical activity in light of affordances in outdoor environments: qualitative observation studies of 3-5 years olds in kindergarten.

Kathrine Bjørgen

doi:10.1186/s40064-016-2565-y

Abstract

This article examines the characteristic of affordances of different outdoor environments, related to the influences of children’s physical activity levels. Qualitative observation studies in a Norwegian kindergarten were conducted of 3- to 5-year-olds into the natural environment and in the kindergarten’s outdoor area. An ecological approach was important from both an analytical and theoretical point of view, using concepts from Gibson’s (The ecological approach to visual perception. Houghton Mifflin Company, Bosten, 1979) theory of affordances. The concepts of affordances in an environment can explain children’s movement behaviour. The findings reveal that situations with high physical activity levels among the children are more often created in natural environments than in the kindergarten’s outdoor environment. Natural environments offer potential qualities that are a catalyst for physical activity. The study shows that certain characteristic of the physical outdoor environment are important for children’s opportunities and inspiration for physical active play. The findings also show that social possibilities and opportunities, human interactions, in the environment have the greatest influence on the duration and intensity of physically active play. The need for knowledge on physical and social opportunities in outdoor environments, educational practice and the content of outdoor time in kindergartens should be given greater attention.

Highlights

We live in a time when there is growing concern about low physical activity levels and health-related problems in young children
The participants were assigned a physical activity level, and these situations were merged into an average level for each situation as shown in Figs. 1 and 2
The findings reveal that natural environment offers potential affordances in forms of variation, challenges, various type of play, sensory stimulation, and different areas to move which are a catalyst for achieving a high physical activity level, depending on staffs tolerance of children’s mobility licence

Summary

Introduction

We live in a time when there is growing concern about low physical activity levels and health-related problems in young children. A sedentary lifestyle is a global problem (Directorate 2014; Gray et al 2015; WHO 2010). Research shows that pre-schoolers’ physical activity level is characterized as sedentary throughout their preschool day (Brown et al 2009; Dowda et al 2004; Gubbels et al 2011; Tucker 2008). It is well documented that physical activity enhances good health, provides energy and is an important means in the prevention of various forms of lifestyle illness (Directorate 2014). According Spencer and Wright (2014) children display highest level of physical activity on playgrounds that have a combination of manufactured equipment and natural materials. Supporting diverse affordances for play through a well thought out design of play spaces can encourage children’s engagement in play, where physical activity as a positive side effect (Herrington and Brussoni 2015)

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Discussion

Conclusion