Analysis of Innovative/ Self-initiated Play Spaces within Present Community Conditions Understood by Children

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to investigate the perception, recognition and response of innovative/ self-initiated play and its correlation to play space and play environment understood by children in their middle childhood years. Play, play theory, and the acceptance of play have an important role in child development. In recent years, play and the importance of innovative/ self-initiated play have been associated with a number of important societal issues. The impact of play and/or lack of play during the developmental stages of childhood directly influence a child’s ability to mature and adapt into society. In order to investigate the overall perceptions of play and play space among the average child in their middle childhood, a questionnaire survey was distributed and analyzed using SSPS 15.0. This survey was conducted within the site specific context of South Korea. Interestingly enough, the differences in the responses can be organized into three main categories: age, gender and housing type. In result different directions for further study and research for future play spaces and play environments that support innovated/ self-initiated play have been suggested.