The use and management of toys and "loose parts" on a playground for integrating children with and without disabilities: Values, problems and possibilities.
Item
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Title
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The use and management of toys and "loose parts" on a playground for integrating children with and without disabilities: Values, problems and possibilities.
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Identifier
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AAI9207065
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identifier
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9207065
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Creator
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Dien, Laurie R.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Roger A. Hart
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Date
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1991
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Education, Special | Recreation | Architecture
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Abstract
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The purpose of this research was to examine the values, problems and possibilities of using toys and "loose parts" on a playground built for the purpose of integrating children with and without disabilities. A part of this larger question was to investigate the effect toys have on the social interaction between children with and without mental retardation.;The setting of this research was "A Playground For All Children," (PAC), a public, staffed playground in Queens, New York. Different groups of children with and without disabilities visited the playground each morning. By having a staff, toys and "loose parts" could be added to the playground. "Loose parts" are defined as any objects not nailed down onto the playground.;Four different methodologies were employed. Behavioral map data visually display where children with and without disabilities, aged 3-to-12 years, used the toys provided on the playground. Tracking data examine: (1) the types of play behaviors in which children with and without mental retardation, aged 3-to-9 years engaged with different toys, and (2) which toys they used in social play. Focused tracking data examine the characteristics of toys that supported the social interaction of children with and without disabilities, aged 3-to-9 years. Interviews were conducted with: (1) three PAC directors about the use and management of toys on the playground, and (2) children with and without disabilities concerning toys.;The results demonstrate that toys and "loose parts" did indeed broaden children's play repertoires on the playground; adding manipulative, constructive and dramatic play opportunities. Comparisons of how and where toys were used are made by age, gender and disability. Toys that were able to support more than one child's activity at the same time, were found to encourage social interaction. Although children enjoyed their play experiences on PAC, the goal of physically integrating children with and without disabilities was generally not accomplished and social integration was a rare phenomenon. (Physical integration refers to the different visiting groups physically being in the same area at the same time.) Design and management implications, including possible methods of encouraging physical and social integration, are discussed.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
