Sustainable encounters in large preschool playgrounds

Sustainable encounters in large preschool playgroundsThe planning and design of good educational environments are crucial for creating sustainable communities.

This project builds on a pilot study acknowledging a new standard for preschool playgrounds when two stories buildings housing twice as many children are getting more common.

The outdoor playgrounds of the large preschools are often restricted with programmed artificial play spaces expanding at the expense of nature.

In the outdoor spaces of large preschools the aim is to investigate children´s options health promoting activity in contact with nature as an integrated part of their learning about sustainable development.

The study is carried out in three steps: 1) A survey of the quality and use of outdoor playgrounds in the large preschools of one municipality. 2) An in-depth study of children´s outdoor encounters in a selection of the preschools with focus on children´s play and movement, social interaction and encounters with nature. 3) Focus-group interviews with staff from the municipality and preschool teachers around the role and potential of the physical environment for preschool practice.

The result of research should be useful for the development of large preschool units with high quality preschool service during outdoor stay.