From re-use to multisensory outdoor play : increasing developmental opportunities for toddlers and infants in the child care context

• Main Author: Lesmeister, Chandra
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/16615

This thesis explores the ways in which an outdoor play space can provide developmental opportunities for children aged twelve to thirty-six months. This exploration begins by observing one group of toddlers at play in two contrasting types of child care spaces and analyzing the children's play. The observations, together with a description of influential studies, a literature review, field observations, and an interview with caregivers, all support the premise that the outdoor space does have a significant impact on child development. The final outcome of the study is the design of an outdoor play space that reflects the research and promotes the child's social, cognitive, physical, and emotional growth. === Applied Science, Faculty of === Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School of === Graduate