Children’s play culture in public parks: How much space and time for playing?

Abstract

This research investigated the spaces and times for play in public recreational parks in the city of São Carlos, in the interior of São Paulo. Data were collected in three public parks through (unstructured) observation during a period of two months, three times a week, with one day of observation for each space/playground. During the observation it was found that the organization of space interferes with the construction and experience of games and activities for children. The physical space available and the type of toys available determined a way of playing for children. It was evident that children, despite the determinations made by the space, can go further, expanding the possibilities of play and often subverting the determination imposed by the toys. They appropriate the space and toys to create games that are different from the predetermined ones.

Keywords: play culture, childhood, public parks.