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Article Title: Effects of Population Density on Space for Outdoor Games in Early Learning Centers: A Case Study of 3 Centers
by Bosah Ifeoma Patience, Aleke Doris Ifeoma and Asiegbu Chidubem Emmanuel

Abstract:
Play is an essential part of every child�s life and Play could be carried out indoor or out door. Outdoor play helps in physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual development of the child. The potentiality of out door play to achieve the attributes stated above depends greatly on the play space available which is determined by the population density. This means that if the child is denied access to a stimulating play space because of population density, the holistic development of the child will be affected. To avert this foreseen problem, the researchers carried out this study which investigated the effects of population density on space for out door games. A qualitative case study research design involving observation of 50 randomly selected 4-5 yr old children playing at three (3) randomly selected early learning centres in Awka urban centres was used. The learning centres were tagged A, B and C. The observation done with a checklist was based on site of the school, the population density, space arrangement, available plays materials and school climate. The major findings of the study among others are that centres A and B have high population density and this resulted in insufficient play space which affected the quality of out door games the children played. This is contrary to centre C which experienced the opposite, the population density was low, they have enough space and quality play materials and these helped the children to play quality outdoor games. The researchers therefore concluded that for the early learning centres in the country to achieve a sustainable play curriculum, quality play materials and adequate spaces that will ensure low population density must be provided by the care givers. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended among others, that providers of early learning centres should be educated on the value of setting up an enabling play spaces for quality outdoor games for the achievement of a sustainable growth and development in the child through play.

Keywords: population, population density, space, outdoor game, early learning centres

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