THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR PLAY ON YOUNG CHILDREN'S SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AGE Dissertation

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR PLAY ON YOUNG CHILDREN'S SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AGE 3-5 IN THE EARLY YEARS SETTING - Dissertation Example The various challenges to outdoor were cited as academic focus, lack of time and initiative on the part of parents and availability if indoor distractions like TV, video-games etc. The observational research concluded that the observed children’s outdoor play activities developed, changed and became more innovative, creative and at times gender specific over the period of observation. The findings also showed that there were positive gains like increased communications and interactions with others, increased initiative to participate in activities and increased awareness of the self and environment. These findings therefor indicate that social development is affected by outdoor play and hence there is a need to develop curriculum to increase participation. Additionally, the research also comments on the lack of awareness about the social benefits among the parents and makes recommendations for developing programs for educating them. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction In troduction Introduction and Research Background Research Questions Research Aims Research Strategy Research Significance Chapter 2: Literature Review A Historical Perspective The Value of Play for Young Children’s Social Development Outdoor Play and Social Development Stages and Levels of Outdoor Play Challenges with Outdoor Play Chapter 3: Methodology Research Methodology-Introduction Methodology and Research Process Sample Pilot Testing and Assessing Validity Administration Ethical considerations Chapter 4: Findings and Analysis Introduction Findings A: Survey of Parents and Teachers Findings B: Interview of Parents and Teachers Findings C: Findings from Observational Research Chapter 5: Conclusion List of Figures and Tables Figure1: Teacher’s Perceptions about Time for Outdoor Play Figure 2: Parent’s Perceptions about Time for Outdoor Play Figure 3: Teachers’ Safety Concerns Figure 5: Teachers’ Perceptions on Uniqueness of Benefits of Outdoor Pl ay Figure 6: Parents’ Perceptions on Uniqueness of Benefits of Outdoor Play Figure 7: Teachers’ Perceptions of Benefots of Out Door Play Figure 8: Parents’ Perceptions of Benefots of Out Door Play Figure 9: Teachers’ Perception of how Outdoor Play Leads to Social Development Figure 10: Parents’ Perception of how Outdoor Play Leads to Social Development Figure 11: Teachers’ Perception of Factors Inhibiting Outdoor Play Figure 12: Parents’ Perception of Factors Inhibiting Outdoor Play Figure 13: Teachers’ Recommendations for Outdoor Play Figure 14: Parents’ Recommendations for Outdoor Play Table 1: Perception of the Essential Time To be Spent in Outdoor Play Table 2: Safety Concerns related to Outdoor Play Table 3: Perceptions of Differential Benefits of Outdoor and Indoor Play Table 4: Benefits of Outdoor Play Table: 5: Outdoor Play Activities Leading to Social Development Table 6: Factors Responsible for Lack of Outdoor Play Table 7: Recommended Actions to Increase Outdoor Play List of Appendices Appendix A: Questionnaire for parents and teachers Apendix B: Interview Questionnaire Appendix C: Observation criteria Chapter 1: Introduction Introduction This chapter contains the introduction and background of the research and explains