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

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.

Children's playgrounds for urban sustainability: (in)accessibility, (un)attractiveness and social (in)equity in Iași and Bacău municipalities (Romania)

“…Today's children's quality of life will drive our global future (ARUP, 2017). The right to play is a fundamental right of children and is the basis of a healthy, prosperous and developed society (Morgenthaler et al, 2023). Meanwhile, children are increasingly isolated from nature, stuck in a virtual world and contacting fewer people daily.…”

“…We are responsible for assuring the next generations a sustainable future and a good present so they will become healthy and educated mature tomorrow. The words "play" and "children" are inseparable, and children's right to play is rightly recognised as one of the fundamental rights by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 2013; Murnaghan, 2019; Morgenthaler et al, 2023). According to Article 31 of the UNCRC: "Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities" (UNCRC, 2013).…”

A scoping Review of Tools to Evaluate Existing Playgrounds for Inclusivity of Children with Disabilities

“…As emphasized in the literature, it is critical that families with children who have disabilities be engaged in this process as key stakeholders in research and practice to ensure that inclusion is considered and integrated practically. For example, a recent scoping review by Morgenthaler and colleagues suggested that children were knowledgeable about the play value of their community playgrounds, and therefore, their perspectives need to be more closely considered in evaluation of these spaces (46). Not only is it critical to engage playground users in audits to gain insight about playground experiences of inclusion, but also to maximize use of these community spaces by ensuring children's preferences and needs are being met when adaptations are being considered (47).…”