Playspaces within playspaces : exploring children’s experiences of play occupation within playgrounds

Public playgrounds located in the neighborhoods are one place where children with different backgrounds and needs can meet, play, socially interact and connect with each other. Children report that playgrounds are important places in their lives. As such, playgrounds could be seen as collective spaces in a community setting. However, little is known about specific playspaces in playgrounds, what children do in these places and what meaning they ascribe to these places. Thus, the presentation aims to explore children’s doings in different playspaces on playgrounds, and the meaning they associate with these places. The presentation is informed by systematic search and synthesis of qualitative evidence about playgrounds from diverse children’s perspective. The included literature is analyzed through an occupational science lens and place-attachment theory. The findings will illustrate the different occupations children do in different places on playgrounds, and the meanings the children associate with it. Furthermore, children’s doings in these places are described and explored in relation to social interactions. Looking at playspaces from a child's perspective often gives insight into a different understanding compared to an adult's perspective. Within an Occupational Science community few have looked at specific playspaces on playgrounds and explored children’s occupations in these places from a place-attachment perspective. Therefore, the findings will add to the knowledge of children’s occupations as they are shaped by environmental relationships on playgrounds.