Green play props for
learning at a schoolyard
Green Grounds
Lund
13 september 2017
Fredrika Mårtensson,
Moore, R, Plants as play props,
Children´s environments quarterly,
vol 6, 1989
Department of Work science, Business economics and Environmental psychology
…their movement choreographed by
the landscape, as their bodies
responded to its every opportunity
[…]
…stopping at every point of interest
along the way, until the original
purpose and destination of the trip
becomes completely forgotten
The flowing terrain and childrens continuity of behaviour
Physical activity play
- a neglected aspect of play behavior
(Pellegrini & Smith 1998)
2003
Free adventourus physical activity (Stephenson, 2003)
2004
Play of flux and transformation (Mårtensson, 2004)
2009 Open and flexible play (Dyment 2009)
2010 Scaryfunny
(Sandseter, 2010)
Home
Recess
Leisure
PE 17 %
Schoolway 3%
Children on foot (Formas)
Mårtensson and Nordström (2017) in Bishop and Corkery, Designing cities with children and young people:
Beyond playgrounds and skate parks
Children´s play and independent mobility at neighbourhood level
Girls 30 % and boys 40 % of PA during recess
Independant neigborhood
play and socializing in a
community of peers
Family outings
Outdoor
classrooms
Recess activities
Organised recess actvity
After school clubs
PE/Otdoor life sessions
Cultivation
Outdoor Play Environment Categories (OPEC)
A. Total outdoor area
B. Proportion of area
containing shrubbery,
trees or a hilly terrain
C. To what extent playequipment and
vegetation are integrated
and surrounded by open
space
Maria Nilsson
Outdoor
time
Green
environment
Physical
activity
Wellbeing
Infections
cortisol
BMI
UV
Sleep
Koncentration
Photo: Märit Jansson
Playful mobility related to place/ Platsrelaterad lustfylld rörelse
(Mårtensson 2004, 2012)
Accessible
Physical,
sensous and
non verbal
Function
person and
theme change
Open and flexible situations
Inclusive
Common interest regardless of
gender, competence and
capability
Attentive and
explorative
Compare: Shared attention
Free mobility
Robust
Nothing wrong and resilient for
change and intervention
Compare: Periphery of play
Creativity research
Hoff and Öhberg 2014
Flexibility
Functional support
New thinking
Psychosocial support
Challenge and risks
Inspirational support
Freedom
Cooperation
Openness towards others
Democracy
Eva Hoff
Any fractals here?
Gröna ambitioner
Lek och rörelse
friluftsdag
arnens egna platser
Odng
Uteklassrum
Green school yards in Malmö Stad
September 2010 to June 2016….
More varied activity in green areas:
Pretend play, Exploration and Movement
Vi leker förr i tiden
Mårtensson, F., Jansson, M., Johansson, M., Raustorp, A., Kylin, M. & Boldemann, C. 13 (1). The role of
greenery for physical activity play at school grounds. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
Kidscape II (FORMAS)
Photos: Peter Pagels
Pagels, P, Raustorp, A, Ponce De Leon, A, Mårtensson, F, Kylin M, Boldemann, (2014) A repeated
measurement study investigating the impact of school outdoor environment upon physical activity across ages
and seasons in Swedish second, fifth and eighth graders, BMC Public Health, 2014, 14:803 (KIDSCAPE II)
More children with a positive mood is found in the green fringe of the school.
Older children (12 years) move more in the fringe than younger (10 years)
Photo: Susanne Bergda
Meeting place where a lot can happen
Photo: Susanne Bergdahl