Variations in Staff Viewpoints regarding Children’s Outdoor Play in Japanese ECEC Playgrounds

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal variations in Japanese early childhood education and care (ECEC) centers’ practices and thoughts regarding outdoor play and relationship between the two. A questionnaire was distributed and the answers from 1,659 centers were analyzed. First, it was revealed that the frequency and perceived importance of practice in outdoor environments are different between centers. Some outdoor practices are thought to be important in many centers while others are not. Second, a confirmatory factor analysis showed that centers varied in their practices and the perceived importance of direct or indirect guidance for children in outdoor play although indirect guidance was rated highly in many centers. This means that the varied thinking about outdoor play in Japanese centers can be seen in how they teach physical activities or make use of playgrounds. Third, it was revealed that thoughts about fostering children’s build strength and acquire athletic skills vary between centers and centers focusing on such things had high scores in direct guidance while centers focusing on children’s wonder or interests had low ones. In conclusion, we can consider ECEC’s outdoor play practices and perception together and what centers value is important in discussing the quality of outdoor environments for children’s development.