Analyzing the effectiveness of recreational experiences on developing social skills and improving children's emotional intelligence (Case study: Tehran Book Garden Children's Home)
Subject Areas :
1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Islamic Azad University, East Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Keywords: Child-centered spaces, recreational experiences, social skills, emotional intelligence, environmental design,
Abstract :
In today's world, where children's social and emotional development is considered one of the main educational concerns, the role of physical environments and recreational spaces in the formation of these skills has received more attention than ever before. However, accurate understanding of how the design of child-centered spaces affects children's emotional and social capabilities still requires scientific and field studies. The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of recreational experiences in child-centered spaces on developing social skills and improving children's emotional intelligence. In this regard, Tehran's Book Garden Children's Home was selected as a case study. This research was conducted using a mixed quantitative-qualitative method. The statistical population included children aged 4 to 12 and their related educators, and data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Statistical tests including Pearson correlation, one-way analysis of variance, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to analyze quantitative data, and the final model was simulated in AMOS software. The findings of the study indicate that components such as creative games, group interactions, sensory and motor stimulation, and structured social activities have a positive impact on various dimensions of emotional intelligence, including emotional self-awareness, empathy, emotion management, and social skills such as cooperation, communication, and social problem solving. The results of the study also emphasize the importance of intelligently designing recreational spaces in enhancing the individual and social capabilities of the future generation. Based on the results, it is suggested that urban designers and architects, with a creative approach based on the developmental needs of children, provide appropriate platforms for experience, interaction, and emotional-social learning in recreational spaces.
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