How Improvements of Play Environment in a Kindergarten Playground Affect Children's Play :

Making a New Wooden Deck

Abstract

This action research involved creating a new deck to improve the utility of a playground in a kindergarten and consequently to enrich the quality of children's play. In order to reduce conflicts among children caused by the limited size of the playground, the following changes were made: a constructive environment was created which includes both public space and some areas for individual play. In particular, the new deck provided children alternative spaces to hang around and enjoy playing by linking them feely and providing fewer physical restraints in a play context. These changes significantly facilitated the children's play and enriched their imagination. To improve the quality of a kindergarten environment, we need to consider the relationship between a constructive environment and the quality of play.