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December 10, 2025PLoS ONEOpen Access

Children’s outdoor play at early learning and child care centres: Examining the impact of environmental play features on children’s play behaviour

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Authors

RRRachel RamsdenUniversity of British ColumbiaIPIan PikeUniversity of British Columbia HospitalSTSally ThorneUniversity of British Columbia

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Implication

Observational mapping reveals environmental features influence children's play behavior, suggesting design improvements for outdoor spaces.

Key Points

  • This study aims to explore the relationship between outdoor play behavior and environmental play features in early learning settings.
  • Observational behaviour mapping collected children's play behavior at eight child care centers.
  • Data was gathered in the Greater Vancouver region from September 2021 to November 2022.
  • A multivariate logistic regression model analyzed the relationship between play behavior and environmental features.
  • Environmental features like gardening areas and climbing structures increased outdoor play opportunities.
  • Exploratory play was supported by features such as sandboxes and outdoor stages.
  • Dedicated open play areas provided fewer diverse play opportunities compared to those with varied environmental features.

Cite This Study

Ramsden et al. (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69401d412d562116f28f849dhttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0318538
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 4 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Societal Values and Policies May Curtail Preschool Children’s Physical Activity in Child Care Centers2012 · 107 citations
  2. 2Children, Outdoor Play, and Loose Parts2018 · 82 citations
  3. 3An intergenerational study of perceptions of changes in active free play among families from rural areas of Western Canada2016 · 39 citations
  4. 4The Influence of Centre-Based Childcare on Preschoolers’ Physical Activity Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study2014 · 165 citations