Schaaf, A.L. van der (Lynn) (2019) Play equipment with a more open function: do children perform a wider variety of actions? thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
The concept of ‘open function’ is introduced by Fuchs to refer to play equipment that does not suggest a specific type of play behavior. Such play equipment is often characterized by its neutral and abstract forms, supposed to foster children’s creativity. The current study examined whether children perform a wider variety of actions on play elements that have an open function. Twenty-two children, between 6 to 12 years old, were to play for two minutes on each of the seven different play elements in a Parkour playground. These play elements were supposed to vary in their degree of open function. Participants were asked to mention what action children will mainly perform on each of the seven Parkour play elements. Based on the participants’ answers and reaction times, we found that the Parkour play elements indeed differ in the degree to which they have an open function. However, we found that children did not show more variation in their play behavior on play elements with a higher degree of open function. However, the test to determine the number of different actions appeared not to be valid. Hence, no solid conclusions can be drawn. The implications of the findings are explored. Keywords: affordances, open function, children, play behavior, Parkour playground
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Withagen, dr. R.G. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 24 May 2022 09:49 |
| Last Modified: | 24 May 2022 09:49 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3428 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |