Playscapes

Creating Space for Young Children's Physical Activity and Play

Doctoral thesis (2020)

Authors

Boudewijn Boon Design Aesthetics - IDE , Human Information Communication Design - IDE
Research Group
Human Information Communication Design (IDE) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2020 Boudewijn Boon
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4233/uuid:8f3090a6-39c6-4ddf-9ee8-9afb73021605
Physical activity Young children Research through design Design for behavior change Open-ended play Pediatric healthcare
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Department

Human-Centered Design

Research Group

Human Information Communication Design

Abstract

Young children often lack opportunities to play in a physically active way. This is particularly the case for children with cancer and other chronic diseases, who regularly undergo periods of hospitalization. Promoting their physical activity and play can contribute to their health, wellbeing, and development. This thesis develops ‘Playscapes’ – a design perspective that emphasizes the unstructured and spontaneous nature of young children’s physical activity. Playscapes encourages designers to enable such physical activity through the design of open-ended and ambiguous playthings. By designing such playthings for children with cancer, this thesis contributes to turning hospital environments, such as patient rooms and waiting areas, into potential ‘landscapes for physical activity and play’.