Open AccessChildren’s views on social distancing and playing on an adventure playground
Author(s) -
Pete King,
Chris Gregory
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of childhood, education and society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2717-638X
DOI - 10.37291/2717638x.202231158
Subject(s) - adventure , distancing , social distance , psychology , adventure education , social psychology , outdoor education , pedagogy , covid-19 , computer science , medicine , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , operating system
Adventure playgrounds have provided an important play environment for children in the United Kingdom (UK) since the 1940s. Twenty-five children ages from 4 to 13 were asked how they would play if social distancing was introduced on their adventure playground. Using Piagetian classification as a framework, responses from children in the pre-operational stage were compliant, whilst in the operational stage, children were compliant but explained how they would adapt their play. For the formal operational stage, the responses were confrontational. The importance of obtaining children’s views challenges the original ‘blanket’ policy guidance within the UK on social distancing for all children in outdoor environments including an adventure playground and considering how children play when with their peers is more social play.