Graduate Research Papers

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Open Access Graduate Research Paper

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess children's free play preferences on outdoor play structures. Many contemporary children are not merely deprived of play but are essentially deprived of the healthiest and richest forms of play. The richest forms are described by children as the most fun, the most exciting, the most interesting, and by theorists and writers are described as "deep play". Deep play is defined as nonliteral behavior, and a transformation of reality Mannell, & Klieber, 1997. This study focused on children's social, cognitive and non-play behaviors that they participated in on play structures.

These deep play experiences are disappearing from our children's free time due to many contributing factors. Play is said to enhance physical fitness, and the development of motor skills, but it is also related to psychological factors such as self-esteems, creativity, and intellectual, social, and moral development. If children are deprived of the true forms of play it can have adverse consequences which can effect their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive well being.

This qualitative study used direct naturalistic observation to collect data on children's free play preferences on indoor play structures. Ten children were observed through their play experience at Seerly Park, located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, while field notes were being taken. The data was then analyzed by organizing it, breaking it down into manageable units, coding them, synthesizing them, and searching for patterns.

The research found that children have less opportunity for certain play characteristics and behaviors that are essential to gain the full benefits that play has to offer on outdoor play structures. This was due to the fact that the outdoor play structure was more conductive to solitary, functional play, and parallel play rather than constructive play, group play, games with rules, and dramatic play behaviors.

Year of Submission

2007

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

First Advisor

Rodney Dieser

Comments

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Date Original

2007

Object Description

1 PDF file (50 pages)

Language

en

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