Patterns of activity of Irish children aged five to eight years: City living in Ireland today

The study of children's occupation is receiving more attention in the occupational science literature. This trend corresponds with a global interest on child health and well‐being. Research into the activity patterns of children in natural environments offers to advance knowledge about children's participation, health and occupational development. This study was conducted using time‐use methods to explore and identify activities and environments of Irish children aged between 5 and 8 years in 2007. Findings support the need for environmental contexts to be taken into account when considering occupational development. Further study of time‐use methods is warranted for use in examining the children‐environment–occupation relationship.

Key Words:

• Occupational development
• Person‐environment‐occupation
• Children
• Time‐use