Att växa i lekmiljöer
hållbar och funktionell växtanvändning i lekmiljöer för förskolebarn
The preschool constitutes a big part of many
children's everyday existence. Its contents are
therefore of great importance and the environment
deserves a well thoughtout design. In this
study, surveys in field and literature have resulted
in conclusions around how plants can be used in
children's play environments, in order to contribute
to the experiencerelated values. The aim
is to present conclusions to lean on when drawing
up designproposals for new playgrounds,
especially where the natural conditions are not so
favorable. The first question that is responded to
is how plants can be used in order to enrich the
children's play environments. The next question
is what can be done to make these plantings endure
the activities.
One designproposal has also been made
for a preschoolgarden, as an example of how plants
can be integrated in the environment, based on
the conclusions from the previous study.
The possibilities for contents and range have
shown itself vary from case to case depending
upon which resources and directions being present
at the currant operator. The aspirations and the
wishes from the personnel and the parents influence
what contents can work in an environment.
Therefore the plants' different characteristics
do not fit equally well in all preschool-gardens.
A specific quality of a plant can in some places
be considered enriching, but in other places as
a problem. When planning a preschoolgarden
it is important to communicate with the coming
users.
There are a number of valuable elements that one
should try to achieve when planning children's
play environments: A varied environment providing
both safety and challenges, large and small
spaces, spots and items around which children
can devise their own imagination places, hilly
ground, enough room for both open and closed
surfaces, as well as access to loose materials and
also the opportunity to play with water and to
study animals in the nature. The outdoor climate
should be as pleasant as possible. All these values
contribute to make play environments functional
and many of them can be achieved with
vegetation. On the other hand, the wear in these
environments is high and the plants must tolerate
many strains. In order to facilitate the presence
of plants some strengthening and relieving measures
can be needed. Location, sizes and choice
of plants also makes difference.