Who is moved by playgrounds?
The study discovers how families with young children (1–7 years old) use free outdoor opportunities in cities, such as playgrounds, local sports facilities, or nature trails, in everyday life. The research project combines the perspectives of sports science, early childhood education science and historical research in a versatile way. It thus creates a broader understanding of the possibilities and changes in the movement and well-being of children and families.

Table of contents
Project duration
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Core fields of research
Physical activity, health and wellbeing
Learning, teaching and interaction
Research areas
JYU.Well
Social Sustainability for Children and Families
Department
Department of History and Ethnology
Department of Education
Co-operation
City of Jyväskylä
Faculty
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Education and Psychology
Project description
The study examines how these outdoor environments and ECEC services offered by the city and social factors (e.g., parents' socio-economic status and working hours) affect families' opportunities for daily outdoor activities. These perspectives will be evaluated in a broader temporal context.
The research provides important information about:
- What opportunities do children and families have for physical activity and hobbies?
- What role do open leisure play environments play in everyday life of families?
- How can play environments be promoted and supported in children's and families' leisure time?
- What kind of changes and trends in the movement of children and families can be seen in the long term?