Preschool children's social play and involvement in the outdoor environment

Research Findings: The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between social play and involvement in the outdoor preschool environment. The study included 173 children ranging in age from 3 to 6 years (Mage = 3.95; SD = 0.82) and attending 19 preschools in the Basque Co...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Miranda Franco, Nekane, Larrea Hermida, Iñaki, Muela Aparicio, Alexander, Barandiaran Arteaga, Alexander
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Universidad del País Vasco
Repositorio:Addi. Archivo Digital para la Docencia y la Investigación
OAI Identifier:oai:addi.ehu.eus:10810/63768
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10810/63768
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:social play
outdoor environment
involvement
Descripción
Sumario:Research Findings: The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between social play and involvement in the outdoor preschool environment. The study included 173 children ranging in age from 3 to 6 years (Mage = 3.95; SD = 0.82) and attending 19 preschools in the Basque Country (Spain). Fifty-one teachers (50 women, 1 man) also participated. Our results indicated that there is a relationship between social participation and involvement, and that group play is the type of play that best predicts greater involvement. No significant differences in levels of involvement were found between boys and girls, although gender was found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between the type of group play and involvement. Practice or Policy: The results are discussed with reference to the need to implement innovations in the outdoor preschool environment that have a positive effect on child development. The outdoor environment should promote social participation as well as gender equality and inclusion, and consequently it should be designed to offer both access to a natural environment and multiple opportunities for play.