Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
BUILDINGS, cilt.15, sa.24, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Natural playgrounds in early childhood education support children's development and environmental awareness by offering various experiences. However, in many kindergartens, natural playgrounds are insufficient, and it is emphasized that playgrounds should be improved through participatory design processes carried out with children. The aim of this study is to identify the spatial expectations of five-year-old children regarding natural playgrounds by involving them in a participatory design process at a kindergarten in Bursa, T & uuml;rkiye. A multi-method approach was developed by combining age-appropriate techniques for children within participatory design workshops. Children's explanations of their designs were evaluated through reflexive thematic analysis, resulting in the emergence of eight themes that reflect their spatial expectations for the design of natural playgrounds. The study revealed the play actions children wish to perform, the experiences they desire, and the natural spaces and spatial elements they designed. The findings show that five-year-old children were able to collaboratively design a natural playground through a participatory process. This research highlights the need to increase participatory design practices with children in order to create natural playgrounds that support children's holistic development in kindergartens.