Outdoor Playground Research Articles

Hva har barn lyst til å gjøre ute?

Mange peker på at uteleken taper plass i den moderne barndommen. Barn har mindre kontakt mednatur enn før og leker mindre ute i sine nærområder. Målet med denne studien var å se hvor storinteresse barn på ulike alderstrinn har for utendørsaktiviteter. Ca. 100 barn er fulgt over 7 år, 47 iytterligere 3 år. Barna er stilt de samme spørsmål ved 6 ulike tidspunkt. Hva har de lyst til å gjøre ute?Studien viser at interessene endrer seg sterkt med økende alder og vi finner også betydelige interesseforskjeller mellom jenter og gutter. Mens interessen for tradisjonelt friluftsliv og høsting i naturensynker med økende alder, øker interessen for mer feriepregede aktiviteter på den ene siden og meridrettspregede aktiviteter på den andre siden. Interessen for natur og friluftsliv er til en viss grad knyttetopp mot foreldrenes alder og utdanning og også familiens ferievaner.

IQ Earth Forum: 21st-century interpretation

In August, I traveled to the stunning outdoor playground at Beaver Creek in Avon, Colorado, to attend the first annual SEG IQ Earth Forum. For the uninitiated, IQ stands for integrative and quantitative. These two words simultaneously cast the Forum's scope and serve as a call to action for all subsurface geoscience. There were 43 people in attendance including 12 from operators (Shell, ExxonMobil, Statoil, Chevron, Total, BHP Billiton, Apache, Anadarko, and Mitsui), 11 from service companies (eight of whom were representing Schlumberger and WesternGeco), 12 from software and consulting firms, and four from academia. A decent spread across the SEG membership base, and an ideal size for an intimate and lively meeting.

The Impact of Preschoolers' Gender and Sensory Preferences on Physical Activity Levels during Play

Introduction: This study examined the differences between boys and girls in relation to activity levels during play and sensory preferences for activity level, body position and movement. A review of the literature revealed no evidence to explain if boys and girls prefer different body positions while playing or if body position might be used to measure their activity levels. Method: This retrospective study used data from demographic forms, children's Sensory Profiles and observations of children's play in classroom settings. The sample consisted of 53 typically developing children between ages 3–5 years from a suburban preschool in Kansas in the United States. Results: Analysis of data from play observations revealed no significant differences between boys and girls in relation to body position mean (p = 0.33), body position standard deviation (p = 0.19) and total number of change position times (p = 0.28). Analysis of data from children's Sensory Profiles showed no significant differences (p = 0.97) between boys' and girls' seeking preferences reflected by activity level, body position and movement items in the Sensory Profile. Conclusion: Future research should investigate children's play in outdoor playgrounds and implement more rigorous methods in rating activity levels.

French children's exposure to metals via ingestion of indoor dust, outdoor playground dust and soil: Contamination data

In addition to dietary exposure, children are exposed to metals via ingestion of soils and indoor dust, contaminated by natural or anthropogenic outdoor and indoor sources. The objective of this nationwide study was to assess metal contamination of soils and dust which young French children are exposed to. A sample of 484 children (6months to 6years) was constituted in order to obtain representative results for young French children. In each home indoor settled dust was sampled by a wipe in up to five rooms. Outdoor playgrounds were sampled with a soil sample ring (n=315) or with a wipe in case of hard surfaces (n=53). As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sb, Sr, and V were measured because of their potential health concern due to soil and dust ingestion. The samples were digested with hydrochloric acid, and afterwards aqua regia in order to determine both leachable and total metal concentrations and loadings by mass spectrometry with a quadrupole ICP-MS. In indoor settled dust most (total) loadings were below the Limit of Quantification (LOQ), except for Pb and Sr, whose median loadings were respectively 9 and 10μg/m². The 95th percentile of loadings were 2μg/m² for As, <0.8 for Cd, 18 for Cr, 49 for Cu, <64 for Mn, 63 for Pb, 2 for Sb, 56 for Sr, and <8 for V. Median/95th percentile of loadings in settled dust on outdoor playgrounds were 2/16, <0.8/1.3, 17/53, 49/330, 99/424, 32/393, 2/13, 86/661 and 10/37μg/m² for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sb, Sr, and V respectively. In outdoor playground soil median/95th percentile of concentrations (μg/g) were 8/26, <0.65/1, 25/52, <26/53,391/956, 27/254, 0.7/4, 54/295, 23/57 for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sb, Sr, and V respectively. These results are comparable with those observed in other countries. Because of their representative nature, we can assess children's exposures to these metals via soil and dust and the associated risks in urban and rural environments. Ratios of leachable/total concentrations and loadings, calculated on >LOQ measurements, differed among metals. To a lesser extent, they were also affected by type of matrix, with (except for Cd) a greater leachability of dust (especially indoor) compared to soils.

Outdoor Play and Learning: Policy and Practice

This study describes national school district policy and practice regarding elementary school children's outdoor learning and play. District representatives from 173 randomly selected school districts completed questionnaires describing policy and practice related to recess, outdoor play, outdoor curricular studies, playground materials, ADA accessibility, and administrative support. Quantitative analyses indicate that although the largest proportion of school districts overall reported maintaining the same amount of outdoor activity time, more school districts reported decreasing time spent outdoors than school districts that reported increasing children's time outside. There were no significant differences in variables across the three different-sized school districts. These data are congruent with other findings indicating that decreasing children's outdoor time is a national trend. Data suggest administrators’ greater support for outdoor play and learning than previously identified. These findings are discussed as an opening dialogue between administration and teachers to plan for children’s quality outdoor experiences.

보육시설의 질적 향상을 위한 설치기준에 관한 기초연구

This study examines the preliminary license and approval facilitation standards for improvements in quality for childcare centers focusing on the number of children, building space standards, facilities and equipment, and childcare program. Data from 48 caese was collected from childcare centers nationwide in Korea through a questionnaire and building plan. The first step for starting care licensing is to work out the ages and numbers of children within four or five age ranges. The second step is to work out the number of children as small, medium, or large considering staff to child ratios and building size. The Nnext step is to make a choice about childcare service quality classification as minimum, fair, or good, considering space requirements per child for the building, the classroom and the outdoor playground. The next step is to make a choice of space organization relating to service programs, considering the sleeping and eating area, indoor play area, toilet & washing facilities, classroom layouts such as cluster type, double zone type, single zone type, and others. Also, each room and entrance, office, kitchen, storage, laundry, teacher's area, and chilldren's area, need to be checked for space requirements and performances. The last step is to arrange the childcare program with the building and site plan. In conclusion childcare service quality will get better by upgrading of license regulation especially in minimum space requirements per child, corresponding with an increase in GNP and housing area per person. This is needed for childcare licensing in order to determine the quality level of childcare service.

평가인증기준에서 바라본 대전시 보육시설사례의 시설공간구성과 보육실 영역구성 조사

This study examines diagrams of space organization and classroom activity zoning through Korean Childcare Accreditation Criteria, and compares space diagrams with childcare facilities in Daejeon, and looks at similarities and differences between them. Space diagram from accreditation criteria show the classroom, adjoining toilets, napping areas, and community areas for playing, reading, cooking, teaching and holding materials. Classroom zone diagrams show 8 activity zones for entering, washing and toilet, making art, playing, reading, studying science, resting, playing role and wooden block. Six case studies in Daejeon, Korea were surveyed and classified into big, medium and small size facilities by the number of children. The space organization of case studies are similar to the diagrams, except that outdoor playground and indoor playrooms were not large enough at the small and medium size facilities. Classroom activity zoning was very similar to the conceptions, excluding the playarea from classroom, integrating the rest areas for reading, subdividing art into music and art, science, and into math and science, roleplay into roleplay and wooden block. In conclusion childcare centers in Daejeon are designed to the concept diagram of the accreditation criteria, with some flexibility, exclusion, integration, and subdivision of space and activity zones. It has been requested as to make each criteria fit to the facility sizes-big, medium and small.

Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act: Banning Outdoor Tobacco Advertising Near Schools and Playgrounds

The tobacco industry has challenged new FDA rules restricting outdoor tobacco advertising near schools and playgrounds on First Amendment grounds, arguing that they would lead to a near complete ban on tobacco advertising in dense urban areas. To examine how the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA) rules banning outdoor tobacco advertising near schools and playgrounds would affect tobacco retailers. GIS spatial analyses of two different states (Missouri, New York), along with more detailed analyses of two urban areas within those states (St. Louis, New York City), were conducted in 2010. The percentage of tobacco retailers falling within 350-, 500-, and 1000-foot buffer zones was then calculated. 22% of retailers in Missouri and 51% in New York fall within 1000-foot buffers around schools. In urban settings, more retailers are affected, 29% in St. Louis and 79% in New York City. Sensitivity analyses demonstrate that smaller buffers decrease the proportion of affected retailers. That is, 350-foot buffers affect only 6.7% of retailers in St. Louis and 29% in New York City. The effects of new outdoor tobacco advertising restrictions vary by location and population density. In Missouri and New York, outdoor tobacco advertising would still be permitted in many locations if such advertising was prohibited in a 1000-foot buffer zone around schools and playgrounds. Much smaller buffer zones of 350 feet may result in almost no reduction of outdoor advertising in many parts of the country.

The circumstances and the present condition of school outdoor playground maintenance with turf grass

The circumstances and the present condition of school outdoor playground maintenance with turf grass

An assessment of indoor air concentrations and health risks of volatile organic compounds in three primary schools

Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, in classrooms, kindergartens, and outdoor playgrounds of three primary schools were measured in spring, winter, and fall terms in İzmir, Turkey. A health-risk assessment was conducted for odor detection, sensory irritation, chronic toxic effects, and cancer. Active sampling was applied for VOCs and formaldehyde on Tenax TA and DNPH tubes, respectively. VOCs were analyzed in a thermal desorption-GC-MS system. Formaldehyde analysis was performed using an HPLC instrument. Benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde were the most abundant compounds with 95th percentile indoor air concentrations of 29, 87, and 106 μg/m(3), respectively. Naphthalene and xylenes followed them with an order of magnitude lower concentrations. Two isomers of dichlorobenzene (1,3 and 1,4) were the other notable compounds. The concentrations were utilized to classify the indoor air pollutants with respect to potential health effects. In addition, carcinogenic and chronic toxic risks were estimated using Monte-Carlo simulation. Formaldehyde appears to be the most concerning pollutant with high chronic toxic and carcinogenic risk levels according to the health assessment followed by naphthalene, benzene, and toluene due to their chronic effects.

Park life perked up.

AN OUTDOOR playground designed to help older people have fun while keeping fit has opened in London's Hyde Park. The innovation was proposed by the Knightsbridge Association residents' group in a bid to boost park facilities.

A study on maximizing kindergarten play benefits through the colors usedon outdoor playgrounds &amp; equipment

A study on maximizing kindergarten play benefits through the colors usedon outdoor playgrounds &amp; equipment

STUDY ON CHILDREN'S PLAY DURING RECESS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THERMAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION

In this paper, we analyzed the children's play during recess in a elementary school, at especially courtyard on the examination from the one-year. The thermal environment of courtyard is different from the environment of playground by the materials of ground and the influence of sunlight reflected by the surrounding walls. And courtyard is the important place for outdoor playground taken place with school ground for lower classes' children. Moreover, we clarified courtyard is the really interesting playground in the point of interchanges between different age children and diversity of kind of play. Play at courtyard is related with air temperature, sunshine and wind velocity, especially wind over 2m/s disturbs play in all seasons. So we need to hold strong wind in planning for courtyard. And we found children select between shine or shadow at courtyard. So it's important to layout properly sun and shadow area at courtyard.

A Review of State Regulations to Promote Physical Activity and Safety on Playgrounds in Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes

As interventions increasingly emphasize early child care settings, it is necessary to understand the state regulatory context that provides guidelines for outdoor physical activity and safety and sets standards for child care environments. Researchers reviewed regulations for child care facilities for 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. We compared state regulations with national standards for 17 physical activity- and safety-related items for outdoor playground settings outlined in Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs (CFOC). State regulations were coded as fully, partially or not addressing the CFOC standard and state-level summary scores were calculated. On average, state regulations fully addressed one-third of 17 CFOC standards in regulations for centers (34%) and family child care homes (27%). Data suggest insufficient attention to outdoor play area proximity and size, equipment height, surfacing, and inspections. Considerable variation exists among state regulations related to physical activity promotion and injury prevention within outdoor play areas. Many states' regulations do not comply with published national health and safety standards. Enhancing regulations is one component of a policy approach to promoting safe, physically active child care settings.

Inclusive Indoor Play: Play and Playthings

Unlike outdoor playgrounds, indoor play environments are made up of playthings that are larger than toys and smaller than playground equipment. These playthings, due to their focus on able-bodied children, are vastly underutilized as tools for social education. In the absence of inclusive playthings, children with disabilities are unable to fully participate in play which can lead to developmental delays. Known as Inclusive Indoor Play, the study intended to learn about the needs of indoor play for children with and without disabilities in order to design universal playthings that can benefit all children. This research study is divided into four different phases: Play typology; Focus group interviews; Children's drawings; and Play study. This paper summarizes the results from the focus groups interviews and offers information about play, indoor play, and inclusive indoor play and a comprehensive list of design criteria for inclusive playthings.

Development of a sensory gate–ball game system for the aged people

Recently, medical advances have been increasing the size of the aged population. With rapidly developing technology, computers are now essential parts in our daily life, and the number of the aged people using computers is also increasing continuously. But user interfaces and contents for the aged people have not been developed actively yet. In this paper, we present a 3D sensory gate–ball game system which can be played by the aged people easily. This game system is based on 3D graphics and uses a realistic gate–ball stick and balls as interfaces, so it can improve both physical and mental health of the aged people. Because our game is a sensory game, it is easy to play at home without an outdoor playground. Finally, we made a survey about an experiment after users played the game and show results of the survey.

Arsenic levels in wipe samples collected from play structures constructed with CCA-treated wood: Impact on exposure estimates

Lumber treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) has been used in residential outdoor wood structures and playgrounds. The U.S. EPA has conducted a probabilistic assessment of children's exposure to arsenic from CCA-treated structures using the Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation model for the wood preservative scenario (SHEDS-Wood). The EPA assessment relied on data from an experimental study using adult volunteers and designed to measure arsenic in maximum hand and wipe loadings. Analyses using arsenic handloading data from a study of children playing on CCA-treated play structures in Edmonton, Canada, indicate that the maximum handloading values significantly overestimate the exposure that occurs during actual play. The objective of our paper is to assess whether the dislodgeable arsenic residues from structures in the Edmonton study are comparable to those observed in other studies and whether they support the conclusion that the values derived by EPA using modeled maximum loading values overestimate hand exposures. We compared dislodgeable arsenic residue data from structures in the playgrounds in the Edmonton study to levels observed in studies used in EPA's assessment. Our analysis showed that the dislodgeable arsenic levels in the Edmonton playground structures are similar to those in the studies used by EPA. Hence, the exposure estimates derived using the handloading data from children playing on CCA-treated structures are more representative of children's actual exposures than the overestimates derived by EPA using modeled maximum values. Handloading data from children playing on CCA-treated structures should be used to reduce the uncertainty of modeled estimates derived using the SHEDS-Wood model.

The influence of free time in the access to the practice of physical and sports activities in school age children

Introduction: With this study we aim to distinguish which are the free time variables associated to the adherence to physical and sports activities. Materials and Methods: A sample composed of 719 children aged between 6 and 10 years old, subject to the application of a questionnaire, was analyzed. The contingence tables and de Л (phi) value were used to verify the association between the free time variables and the practice of physical and sports activities. Results: The results' analysis allowed us to conclude that the places to spend free time (home, street, outdoor playground and public garden) and the time spent in these places are associated to the physical and sports activities. Discussion: There is a positive association between the time that children spend in outdoor playgrounds, street, public garden and the practice of global physical activities. In regards to the practice in clubs, we verifi ed a negative association between the time spent in the public garden, outdoor playground and street and the adherence to the practice. The time that they spend with video games is negatively associated to the formal practice. The time that they spend watching television is positively associated to the global practice, but negatively associated to the formal practice in business days.

Increasing preschoolers' physical activity intensities: An activity-friendly preschool playground intervention

Objective The purpose of this study was to see if portable play equipment added to a preschool playground resulted in higher intensities of physical activity among 3–5-year-old children. Methods Activity-friendly equipment was added to an outdoor preschool playground. Accelerometry-measured intensities of 15-s epochs of physical activity were tracked for 5 pre-intervention and 5 post-intervention days during outdoor play. Data were collected during fall 2005 in Salt Lake City for 64 preschoolers aged 3, 4, and 5 years. Results After the intervention, both male and female 3- to 5-year-olds significantly decreased sedentary behavior and significantly increased light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity as measured by accelerometry. Conclusions Results suggest simple interventions, requiring little teacher training, can yield increases in healthy physical activity.

Physical environmental characteristics and individual interests as correlates of physical activity in Norwegian secondary schools: the health behaviour in school-aged children study.

BackgroundThe school has been identified as a key arena for physical activity promotion for young people. Effective change of physical activity behaviour requires identification of consistent and modifiable correlates. The study explores students' interests in school physical activity and facilities in the school environment and examines their associations with students' participation in physical activity during recess and their cross-level interaction effect.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was based on a national representative sample of Norwegian secondary schools and grade 8 students who participated in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) 2005/06 study. The final sample comprised 68 schools and 1347 students. Physical environment characteristics were assessed through questionnaires completed by the principals, and students' physical activity and interests in physical activity were assessed through student self-completion questionnaires.ResultsMost students were interested in more opportunities for physical activity in school. Multilevel logistic regression models demonstrated that students attending schools with many facilities had 4.49 times (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.93–10.44) higher odds of being physically active compared to students in schools with fewer facilities when adjusting for socio-economic status, sex and interests in school physical activity. Also open fields (Odds Ratio (OR) = 4.31, 95% CI = 1.65–11.28), outdoor obstacle course (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.32–2.40), playground equipment (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.24–2.42) and room with cardio and weightlifting equipment (OR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.18–2.10) were associated with increased participation in physical activity. Both students' overall interests and the physical facilitation of the school environment significantly contributed to the prediction of recess physical activity. The interaction term demonstrated that students' interests might moderate the effect of facilities on recess physical activity.ConclusionThe findings support the use of an ecological approach and multilevel analyses in the investigation of correlates of physical activity that allows for a broader understanding of the influence of and interaction between factors at multiple levels on physical activity behaviour. In the promotion of physical activity in lower secondary schools, the study suggests that programmes should include a focus on environmental facilitation and incorporate strategies to increase students' interests for school physical activity.