LANDSCAPE AS
PLAYSCAPE

Assosciate Professor 
Dr. Scient (Ph.D.)
Ingunn Fjørtoft
Science/physical education

Links
Telemark University College,
Department of Teacher Training

Barnehagefolk

Papers 
ESRI user Conferance2000                             Pediatric Exercise Science

Forskdok
Forskpub

 Keywoords
Landscape as playscape
Motor development in Children
Use og GIS for landscape analysis

Summary of doctoral theses in english

Summary

This doctoral thesis focuses on natural landscapes as potential playscapes for children and the learning effects on motor development from all-round physical play in such environments. The issue is addressed through four papers, each one addressing specific parts of the topic. Paper I gives an overall view to the whole theme introducing how a natural environment provides a stimulating playing area for kindergarten children. Further more it focuses on the landscape characters and how they afford possibilities for play. The paper indicates a probable relation between landscape ecology, the children’s occupation of the landscape, through different forms of play, and the impact on their motor development. Paper II is a description and analysis of a natural environment as a playground for children, showing how a natural playscape affords features for play. Methods from landscape ecology were applied and implemented in a Geographical Information System (GIS). The natural landscape had qualities to meet the children’s needs for a stimulating and varied play environment. Landscape ecology metrics showed high values for diversity in topography and vegetation, which corresponded to function-related structures that afforded versatile play. The paper indicates a strong relation between landscape structure and play functions. Diversity in landscape elements was considered a high quality dimension for natural playscapes. In Paper III the EUROFIT Motor Fitness Test is presented and discussed concerning reliability and validity. Results from the pre-test are discussed in relation to age sex, and anthropometrics such as body height and weight in 5-7-year-old children. The motor fitness tests showed strong dependency on age, while low dependency on sex. Body weight and height did not appear to have any impact on the test variables for this age group. The intervention effects from playing in a natural environment on children’s motor development are described in paper IV. An experimental study was carried out with 5-7-year old children. While attending kindergarten the experimental group (n=46) used a natural playscape for their out-door play. The reference group (n=29) attended a kindergarten with a traditional out-door playground. Both groups were tested using EUROFIT before and after the intervention period. It was noticed a better intervention effect in the experimental group. In all test items except for flexibility, the experimental group gained better results. Comparing the experimental group and the reference group there were significant (p< .05) differences between the groups in co-ordination and balance abilities. It was assumed that the better results in the experimental group were caused by the intervention effect from all-round play activities in a natural environment. The overall conclusion from this study highlights the probable favourable impact a natural playscape may have on children’s development.Permission for the research on the kindergarten groups has been given by the Norwegian Social Science Data Services.