Comparing and contrasting primary school playgrounds in Turkey and Australia

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate several aspects of school playgrounds in the city of Denizli, Turkey, and in the state of Victoria, Australia, in order to identify and compare factors impacting on the provision of high quality outdoor facilities. Results from a recent study in Victorian primary school playgrounds are compared with data collected from a large number of schools in Denizli and analysed in light of international research findings. The most significant differences between playgrounds in both contexts are related to the age of schools, involvement of local communities in their school playgrounds, enforcement of playground rules and the natural features in the playgrounds. A number of shared challenges have emerged from this study, such as finding ways to involve children in decision making in playground design, improving processes for playground rule-making, increasing natural features and loose parts in playgrounds, and enhancing teacher understandings of the learning that occurs when children play freely outdoors during recess breaks.