| This thesis proposes a design method that supports participation of preschool children in the design process and installation of their outdoor playscape. A playscape can be a developmentally appropriate play and learning environment that addresses formal, informal and hidden curriculum. The inherent play and learning concepts can stimulate physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. Daily interactions with this new outdoor setting encourage creativity, imagination, discovery and multi-sensory stimulation, while naturally centering preschool children in their local ecosystem.; The design method is comprised of five tasks—teacher/designer collaboration, community environmental resources, design charette, instructional activities sequence and the intended final design response. Teachers in a local case study preschool and the author jointly engaged 4–5½ year old children in a sequence of coordinated experiential instructional activities for the intended design theme of ‘Private Places in Public Spaces’. The children's design experiences and products helped to inform the final community-built playscape. |
