https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4113-5692
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ABSTRACT
In this paper, we characterise outdoor spaces and play opportunities in 12 Portuguese early childhood settings (ECS), extending scientific knowledge about how outdoor environments are commonly organised and used in Portugal. To achieve this goal, we developed an observation tool (GO-Exterior) based on scientific literature concerning design and planning of outdoor play environments. The study reveals that most outdoor environments lacked important features to provide interesting opportunities for children’s play, with significant deficits in terms of natural areas and materials, loose objects and diversity in surfaces or topographies. Data gathered support the need for specific policies and strategies to improve outdoor play opportunities in ECS. GO-Exterior can potentially support further studies in this area, providing important data for interventions in early childhood centres following a play value perspective on the design of outdoor spaces.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Notes on contributors
Gabriela Bento
Dr Gabriela Bento is an educational psychologist. Her main research interests are outdoor play and practice transformation in early childhood education settings. Her PhD focused on educational policies, projects and practices related to outdoor play in Portuguese early childhood educational settings. She works with early childhood teachers in outdoor play training processes and transformation of pedagogical practices.
Jorge Adelino Costa
Jorge Adelino Costa is a Full Professor at the University of Aveiro. His main research interests are educational administration and school leadership.