A physical environment rating scale to evaluate neighborhood suitability for children’s folk games in China

This study aims to develop a scale to evaluate the physical environment of children’s folk games in Chinese residential neighborhoods, emphasizing that modern residential spaces should accommodate folk games to ensure their sustainable continuation, as these games effectively address children’s current lack of interaction with nature and peers. Data was initially collected through semi-structured interviews with parents from four representative residential neighborhoods in Taiyuan, China, and thematic analysis was conducted to identify commonly known folk games and their associated environmental features. Subsequently, content validity assessments and a pilot study were carried out to refine the scale’s items and dimensions. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis was performed using data from 434 urban parents with children aged 3 to 12 to establish the scale’s reliability, validity, and factor structure. The resulting Children’s Folk Games Physical Environment Rating Scale (CFGS) comprises three dimensions: Usable Natural Elements, Flexible Planar Arrangements, and Usable Boundaries, each including three to five measurement items. The CFGS offers an effective tool for understanding parental perceptions of environments suited for folk games and provides practical guidance for designing engaging play spaces. Future research should examine the applicability of this scale across various cultural contexts and further address the diverse adaptability of children’s behaviors in folk game activities.

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