Development of Children's Group Play and an Ideal Environmental Composition :

A Case Study of Free Play in Child Care

Abstract

The surrounding environment is regarded as a strong influential factor that automatically contributes to the formation of children's group play. This study surveyed the physical environment of group play in a day nursery which emphasized free play in Chiba prefecture, analyzing the effect of the environment according to each unit of play action. The result clarified a specific structure of group play and suggested necessary environmental conditions to facilitate and encourage the development of group play.