The effects of traditional playground equipment design in children's developmental needs

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Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Industrial Design, Turkey

Approval Date: 2003

Thesis Language: English

Student: PINAR METİN

Supervisor: Hakan Gürsu

Abstract:

In this research, concept of play and types of outdoor playgrounds were explored in the light of the relevant literature. A field study was conducted in order to determine the attributes of traditional type playground equipment in children̕s developmental needs. Kurtulus Park of Ankara was determined as the research area whereas, 70 children, aged between 6 to 12, were randomly selected and observed. Data on age, sex, favourite type of playground equipment and play behaviour of the child were collected by means of an observation sheet. A short interview with the child was also conducted after the observation session. Collected data were encoded, analyzed and interpretted by using Pearson̕s Chi-square Test and Fisher̕s Exact Chi-square Test with 95% ( a = 0.05 ) confidence intervals. The results of the field study revealed that today̕s playgrounds have little value in terms of play. Limitations of fixed playground equipment directly affect children̕s developmental needs. The findings of the research study indicates that traditional type play structures support physical and social development of the child to a certain extent. However, this kind of equipment do not foster cognitive and emotional development of children.