Children’s Rough-and-Tumble Play in a Supportive Early Childhood Education and Care Environment

While a growing body of evidence highlights the benefits of rough-and-tumble play (R&T) in young children, it remains one of the most challenging kinds of play to support in early childhood education and care environment (ECEC) institutions. The present study explores the occurrence and characteristics of R&T in indoor and outdoor environments in a Norwegian sociocultural context where children can freely choose what, where, and with whom to play. The data consist of 100 randomly recorded two-minute videos, which were coded second by second for R&T. Qualitative analysis reveals that in a physically and culturally supportive environment for R&T, children aged 3–5 years perceive indoor spaces that afford physically active play to be more attractive for R&T than outdoor environments. The findings indicate gender differences related to R&T and how girls and boys use the physical environment in different ways. The quantitative findings are discussed within interactional affordances theory and show that children practise perceptual, motor, and social skills to successfully engage in R&T. Enhanced knowledge of children’s skill acquisition in R&T can support practitioners in developing pedagogical skills to facilitate challenging and safe environments for appropriate indoor R&T for both girls and boys.publishedVersio

Gender matters: male and female ECEC practitioners’ perceptions and practices regarding children's rough-and-tumble play (R&T)

The aim of this study was to explore Norwegian early childhood education and care (ECEC) practitioners’ perceptions and practices regarding children’s indoor and outdoor rough-and-tumble play (R&T) from a gender perspective. A questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used together in a mixed method design to provide quantitative data of patterns among a larger group of ECEC practitioners, as well as to gather greater in-depth insights on ECEC practitioners’ attitudes, thoughts and actions concerning children’s R&T. The results of the study showed that ECEC practitioners acknowledged both positive and negative sides of R&T; that they allowed this kind of play significantly more in outdoor environments than indoors, and that R&T often produced uncertainty and a need for control by the practitioners. The most surprising result from the questionnaire was the lack of gender differences in allowing children’s R&T in ECEC. However, the interviews revealed that although a basic difference in attitudes between male and female practitioners originally existed, female practitioners changed their attitudes and practices towards R&T as a result of gaining more knowledge and experience of this play through their male colleagues. In addition, a high consciousness of trying to adopt common understandings, rules and practices regarding R&T also contributed to a change of attitudes.acceptedVersio

The relationship between indoor environments and children’s play – confined spaces and materials

The provision of environments that support and afford play is fundamental for young children’s experiences, learning and development. Play environments of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) institutions are therefore of great importance for the opportunities provided children to create and engage in a wide range of play. This study examines the association between Norwegian ECEC institutions’ indoor environment (spaces and materials) and children’s engagement in different types of play. Children (3– 6 years, N = 86) were observed in two-minute sequences during periods of the day when they were free to choose what to do. The data consists of 943 randomly recorded two-minute videos, which were coded second-bysecond to register the type of play occurring, the space in which it occurred and the materials children used. The results show that the indoor environment in the participating ECEC institutions afforded predictable play types in what could be called confined spaces designed and furnished for certain kinds of play activities. The authors discuss how this helps practitioners maintain predictability and control of children’s play, while on the other hand, it restricts children’s play and freedom to bring their own initiatives, ideas and creativity into the play in unpredictable ways.publishedVersio

Children, mothers, and preschool teachers’ perceptions of play: Findings from Turkey and Norway

This cross-cultural study aims to explore children’s, mothers’, and teachers’ current perceptions of play in Turkish and Norwegian cultures by using the Cultural Historical Action Theory framework as an analytical tool. The participants included 40 children enrolled in preschools, 39 mothers, and 10 teachers. In this cross cultural comparative study, structured interviews were used to collect the data. The results revealed one common theme across the participants’ definitions of play, the feelings related to play. All three groups expressed play as a way of having fun. Another common theme for the adults from both countries were the ideas that, play is important for children’s learning and development and, it is impossible to think of an alternative to play. Both Norwegian and Turkish children defined play as different examples, such as cars, bicycles and balls. While Norwegian teachers defined play as a context in which children make their own decisions, both Norwegian and Turkish teachers considered play socialize with friends and to be a way of communication. The concept of adults as the community of play and children as the actors of play deserve more attentio

Effect-directed toxicity assessment of sediments from Bergen harbour (Norway) using luciferase reporter gene and cell-based bioassays

Bergen harbour has been a historically polluted area in line with the harbours of many other major coastal cities in Norway and other countries around the world. With pollutants accumulating to toxic levels in organisms inhabiting these areas, the need for targeted and precise ways of remediating polluted sediments is necessary. To achieve this, a better understanding of the composition and bioactivity of the pollutants in the sediments is needed. Effect-based bioassays in combination with fractionation of sediment extracts and targeted and non-targeted chemical analysis can be used to identify the specific compounds responsible of mediating toxicity. Sediments in the inner part of Bergen harbour (Vågen) has previously been shown to contain discharges from factories and harbour activities. In this study, sediment extracts from this site were chemically fractionated into 10 individual fractions ranging from least polar to most polar by using mixtures of hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol in varying ratios. Luciferase-based reporter gene assays were then used to measure the activation of a selected set of stress-activated receptors from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) using the different fractions obtained from the sediment samples. The receptors assessed were Atlantic cod aryl hydrocarbon receptor 2 (gmAhr2a), androgen receptor alpha (gmAra), estrogen receptor alpha (gmEra), and zebrafish pregnane X receptor (drPxr), which were chosen based on previous work (Goksøyr et al, 2021). The gmAhr2a was activated by all the fractions assessed with the exceptions of the least- and most polar ones, which was in good agreement with the EROD assays showing a similar pattern of Cyp1A activity in PLHC-1 cells exposed to the same fractions. The drPxr receptor was selectively activated by two fractions of intermediate and high polarity, with little or no activation by the other fractions. With the gmAra receptor, most activation was observed by fractions from the higher end of the polarity gradient compared to the gmEra receptor where almost all fractions showed similar, but low activation. The general activation in both the gmAra and gmEra receptors were low compared to the controls. Results from the chemical analysis show that most compounds congregated in fractions 2, 3 and 4. This coincides somewhat with the activation of the Ahr receptors where fraction 4 activated the strongest. For the other receptors this is not the case and further chemical characterization of the fractions is ongoing.Masteroppgave i biologiBIO399MAMN-BIOMAMN-HAVS

Children’s Rough-and-Tumble Play in a Supportive Early Childhood Education and Care Environment

While a growing body of evidence highlights the benefits of rough-and-tumble play (R&T) in young children, it remains one of the most challenging kinds of play to support in early childhood education and care environment (ECEC) institutions. The present study explores the occurrence and characteristics of R&T in indoor and outdoor environments in a Norwegian sociocultural context where children can freely choose what, where, and with whom to play. The data consist of 100 randomly recorded two-minute videos, which were coded second by second for R&T. Qualitative analysis reveals that in a physically and culturally supportive environment for R&T, children aged 3–5 years perceive indoor spaces that afford physically active play to be more attractive for R&T than outdoor environments. The findings indicate gender differences related to R&T and how girls and boys use the physical environment in different ways. The quantitative findings are discussed within interactional affordances theory and show that children practise perceptual, motor, and social skills to successfully engage in R&T. Enhanced knowledge of children’s skill acquisition in R&T can support practitioners in developing pedagogical skills to facilitate challenging and safe environments for appropriate indoor R&T for both girls and boys

Children’s Rough-and-Tumble Play in a Supportive Early Childhood Education and Care Environment

While a growing body of evidence highlights the benefits of rough-and-tumble play (R&T) in young children, it remains one of the most challenging kinds of play to support in early childhood education and care environment (ECEC) institutions. The present study explores the occurrence and characteristics of R&T in indoor and outdoor environments in a Norwegian sociocultural context where children can freely choose what, where, and with whom to play. The data consist of 100 randomly recorded two-minute videos, which were coded second by second for R&T. Qualitative analysis reveals that in a physically and culturally supportive environment for R&T, children aged 3–5 years perceive indoor spaces that afford physically active play to be more attractive for R&T than outdoor environments. The findings indicate gender differences related to R&T and how girls and boys use the physical environment in different ways. The quantitative findings are discussed within interactional affordances theory and show that children practise perceptual, motor, and social skills to successfully engage in R&T. Enhanced knowledge of children’s skill acquisition in R&T can support practitioners in developing pedagogical skills to facilitate challenging and safe environments for appropriate indoor R&T for both girls and boys

Gender matters: male and female ECEC practitioners’ perceptions and practices regarding children's rough-and-tumble play (R&T)

The aim of this study was to explore Norwegian early childhood education and care (ECEC) practitioners’ perceptions and practices regarding children’s indoor and outdoor rough-and-tumble play (R&T) from a gender perspective. A questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used together in a mixed method design to provide quantitative data of patterns among a larger group of ECEC practitioners, as well as to gather greater in-depth insights on ECEC practitioners’ attitudes, thoughts and actions concerning children’s R&T. The results of the study showed that ECEC practitioners acknowledged both positive and negative sides of R&T; that they allowed this kind of play significantly more in outdoor environments than indoors, and that R&T often produced uncertainty and a need for control by the practitioners. The most surprising result from the questionnaire was the lack of gender differences in allowing children’s R&T in ECEC. However, the interviews revealed that although a basic difference in attitudes between male and female practitioners originally existed, female practitioners changed their attitudes and practices towards R&T as a result of gaining more knowledge and experience of this play through their male colleagues. In addition, a high consciousness of trying to adopt common understandings, rules and practices regarding R&T also contributed to a change of attitudes

Contributions to Sustainability through Young Children’s Nature Play: A Systematic Review

Nature play with young children has been criticized for lacking the transformative power necessary for meaningfully contributing to sustainability issues. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify outcomes associated with young children’s nature play that align with Education for Sustainability outcomes, toward addressing the question of its contribution to a more sustainable future. A total of 272 citation records were screened using eligibility and quality appraisal criteria, resulting in 32 studies that were reviewed. These studies’ outcomes were coded and then mapped to an education for sustainability framework. Results suggest that nature play supports education for sustainability benchmarks of applied knowledge, dispositions, skills, and applications. The multiple and varied relevant outcomes associated with nature play suggest practitioners should not abandon nature play in the pursuit of sustainability. Implications for practice and further research are discussed

Young children’s perspectives regarding rough and tumble play:a systematic review

Abstract Play types and play environments often are influenced by adults, with children having little agency in organizing their own play. This is particularly illustrated in the context of rough and tumble play (RT), which is a type of play pursued by children, but often discouraged by adults. When adults prohibit RT play, they limit opportunities for children to benefit from the outcomes associated with this form of play. A systematic review of literature was conducted toward understanding children’s perspectives regarding RT play and how children have been included in RT research. The results suggest, despite having several roles in RT research, thereis a noticeable absence of children’s perspectives on RT play. This absence points to a need for research that captures children’s perspectives on specifically RTplay in ways that involve children not just as the subjects of observations, but as active participants with voices, preferences, ideas, and agency