Santa Barbara Museum Pre-Post Renovation Study

What are we trying to do or learn?

An intensive observational behavior mapping study to understand how changes to the natural playspace may impact the type and diversity of children's play, their interactions with peers, adults and wildife, as well as impacts on physical activity levels and risky play. The Museum carried out the renovation to assist with accessibility; the study therefore also aimed to consider the degree to which the renovation supported increased accessibility and inclusion.

Where and with whom?

Observations were conducted of any children aged 0-17 years visiting The Backyard during each of the 7 study days in July (i.e. during public school holidays) both pre- and post-renovation.

Approach & Methods Used

A systematic observational behavior mapping protocol was carried out by 3 trained observers, capturing approximately 20 different aspects of play behaviors, including child demographic and behavioral data as well as environmental data. Approximately 700 observations of play events both pre and post renovation were recorded.

Findings & Publications

• Loebach, J., Ramsden, R.*, Joyce, K.*, Cox, A. & Brussoni, M. (2023) Running the Risk: The social, behavioral and environmental associations with positive risk in children’s play activities in outdoor playspaces. Risky play and learning in the outdoors for educational, developmental, and health purposes [Special Issue]. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 3, 307-339.

• Loebach, J. & Cox, A. (2022). Playing in ‘The Backyard’: Environmental features and conditions of a natural playspace which support diverse outdoor play activities among younger children. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Special Issue: Outdoor play and learning for health, wellbeing and development in early childhood, 19, 12661.

• Additional papers forthcoming