The Function of Enclosed and Narrow Spaces for Children at Nursery School

Abstract

This study focuses on the function of enclosed and narrow spaces for children at nursery school. The research subjects were 1- to 5-year-old children. Data from 843 minutes of observation were analyzed. Observation began when research subjects entered the space and stopped when they left it. Three enclosed places in the garden were used for the study, according to the Grounded Theory Approach. The results generated 26 concepts and 10 subcategories, which were then aggregated into 4 categories. There were 10 storylines. The functions of the enclosed and narrow spaces for children were to repeatedly share and change chances for coincidental interaction among children, in connection with both inside and outside the space.