The natural environment as a playground for children

Learning in the outdoor environment: a missed opportunity?

“…Second, respondents were not fully aware of the potential uses and benefits-the affordances (Fjortoft & Sageie, 2000)-of outdoor environments. This being the case, when trying to justify the inclusion of outdoor play, they referred to their own memories of childhood and romantic notions of freedom that today's children are often denied (Rivkin, 2000).…”

“…Fjortoft (2001Fjortoft ( , 2004 reports research from Scandinavia, which demonstrates that children who play in flexible, natural landscapes appear to be healthier, have improved motor fitness, balance and coordination, and demonstrate more creativity in their play. Fjortoft and Sageie (2000) point out that the natural landscape has qualities that meet children's needs for diverse and stimulating play environments: in their study children interpreted the affordances of various environmental features in different seasons and these affected the functions of children's play. For example, woodlands and cliffs were used for climbing, areas of shrubland were used for building dens and shelters, slopes were used for sliding, while open spaces were used for running and catching games.…”

“…For example, woodlands and cliffs were used for climbing, areas of shrubland were used for building dens and shelters, slopes were used for sliding, while open spaces were used for running and catching games. Fjortoft and Sageie (2000) emphasise that it is the actual (natural) environment that is beneficial: their research revealed that children who played in the forest tended to demonstrate better motor skills than children who played in a traditional playground.…”

More Livable School Grounds for Children

“…53 Bu çalışma kapsamında çocuklarla yapılan mülakat ça-lışmasının sonuçlarına göre de çocuklar doğal elemanların yer aldığı okul bahçeleri istemektedirler. Mülakat çalışması-nın sonuçlarına göre çocukların ilkokul bahçesinde olmasını istedikleri unsurlar ve elemanlar ağaçlar, çiçekler ile birlikte yeşil alanlar; süs havuzu, yüzme havuzu, akar su gibi su elemanları; salıncak, kaydırak gibi oyun ekipmanlarının yer aldığı oyun alanları; fiziksel güç sarfedecekleri tırmanma, sallanma ekipmanları ve koşu parkurları; futbol, basketbol, voleybol sahası gibi spor alanlarıdır.…”

“…Bu sonuç literatürde ortaya konmuş çalışmaların sonuçları ile büyük ölçüde ör-tüşmektedir. 54 Çocukların hayallerindeki ilkokul bahçesi, doğal elemanlarla düzenlenmiş, yeşil, suyun, oyun ekipmanları ve spor alanlarının da yer aldığı okul bahçeleridir.…”