Physical activity in light of affordances in outdoor environments: qualitative observation studies of 3-5 years olds in kindergarten

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between 3-5-year-old children's physical activity level and physical and social affordances in various outdoor environments in kindergarten.

The results show that both physical and social affordances in the different outdoor environments in kindergarten influence the children's physical activity level. The children's level of activity is higher in natural environments compared with the kindergarten's outdoor environment. Outdoor environment elements such as flexible materials, the possibility of different types of play, physical opportunities of social connection, sensory stimuli, etc. have a positive impact on the children's level of activity. According to the author, the children's level of activity is low during free play. When the children are invited into a physical activity by other children, or when the teacher guides the children in a physical activity, their level of activity increases. The study indicates that factors such as social relationships, support, invitations to play, etc. can contribute to a high physical activity level among children in kindergarten.

The study examined two different outdoor environments (trips to the natural environment and the kindergarten's outdoor area) in one kindergarten in relation to the physical activity level of 3-5-year-olds. The children were categorised according to different levels of physical activity. The empirical material is based on video footage and observations of a total of 24 children. However, the number of children varied due to sickness, and so did the group being observed, as the children were divided into age groups when going on trips to the natural environment. The researcher observed and recorded on video the children's physical activity without any form of intervention. Out of a total of 20 days of observation, six days of observation were selected for further investigation. The data material was transcribed and then coded thematically and analysed in relation to the children's physical activity level.

Bjørgen, K. (2016). Physical activity in light of affordances in outdoor environments: qualitative observation studies of 3-5 years olds in kindergarten. SpringerPlus 5:950. DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2565-y

Bjørgen, K. & Svendsen, B. (2015). Kindergarten practitioners’ experience of promoting children’s involvement in and enjoyment of physically active play: Does the contagion of physical energy affect physically active play? Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood 16(3), 257-271.