Author ORCID Identifier

Danae Dinkel

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-14-2019

Publication Title

European Early Childhood Education Research Journal

Volume

27

Issue

2

First Page

257

Last Page

271

Abstract

Unstructured outdoor play is important for children's development. The present study examined infants’ and toddlers’ physical and social unstructured outdoor play behaviors within childcare centers. Children's outdoor play behaviors were video recorded at two centers (A&B) and assessed using a modified version of the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children in Preschool (OSRAC-P). Children in this study primarily took part in active play (56.7%) and engaged in play without any type of prompting from a teacher (91.2%). There was a significant interaction between the effect of center and location on physically active play (p < 0.001). Children at Center B were most active in open play areas (77.6%), while children at Center A were most active in gross motor play areas (72.2%). In sum, the outdoor play environment influences infants’ and toddlers’ physical and social play behaviors; however, more research is needed to determine the optimal environment for development.

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in European Early Childhood Education Research Journal on 14 February 2019, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1350293X.2019.1579550.

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