Author/Authors :
DUMAN, Gökhan Gazi Üniversitesi - Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi - Okulöncesi Eğitimi A D, Turkey , KOÇAK, Nurcan Turgut Özal Üniversitesi - Sağlık Yüksekokulu - Çocuk Gelişimi Böl, Türkiye
Abstract :
Playgrounds have an immense impact on children’s development and learning. Despite its importance in child development, playgrounds have been stuck among concrete chunk in big cities. Besides, local administrations give attention to the playgrounds mostly due to internal regulations. Konya is one of the largest cities in Turkey. There is a debate concerning proper standards of its outdoor playgrounds’ location, space, safety and equipment. This study delves to analyze the quality of children’s outdoor play areas in Konya city center and its major counties. For this purpose, outdoor play areas were observed and evaluated using playground observation form. It has been found that most of the playgrounds were equipped with limited numbers of swings, slides, seesaws, and ladders. Even though the numbers of the play materials were limited, they were developmentally appropriate, clean and sound. Most of the playgrounds’ floor were covered with appropriate material however, their access were not suitable for children with special needs. The locations of playgrounds were close to living areas and remote from the crowded streets and noise pollution but, there were not enough accommodation places, trees, flowers and safety precautions for visitors. It has been suggested that playgrounds which children meet with nature are needed.
