Research has highlighted how school playgrounds can impact kids’ social and mental well-being. However, there’s a gap in understanding the exact effects of these spaces on children’s mental health, calling for more comprehensive and evidence-based research.
The aim is to investigate if re- or new-build playgrounds in the schoolyard (build age-appropriate and in accordance with knowledge on what children want) can improve social and mental health in 6-12-year-old children.
The study is an intervention study in five schools – two in the UK and three in Denmark. Systematic observation and survey will be used to measure social interactions, well-being, and enjoyment of activity and play during recess before and after intervention. The follow-up measurement will be conducted 12 months after the baseline measurement.
We expect the study to have a direct effect on more children in the target group using the schoolyard with their peers and thus improve children’s physical, social, and mental health.
This study is funded by KOMPAN and specifically includes public KOMPAN playgrounds.
Research Partner
Research Partner