An Observational Investigation of How Exhibit Environment and Design Intersect to Influence Parent–Child Engagement

IF 1.6 Q3 HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, SPORT & TOURISM

Visitor Studies Pub Date : 2022-05-02 DOI:10.1080/10645578.2022.2051386

Jessica S. Caporaso, Courtney L. Ball, Kimberly E. Marble, J. Boseovski, Stuart Marcovitch, Kathleen M. Bettencourt, Lindsey A. Zarecky

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引用次数: 2

Abstract

Abstract This naturalistic, observational study examined how specific design elements in two play-centered science center exhibits influence child and parent engagement. We observed the level of engagement, pretend play, and sharing among 57 3- to 9-year-olds (M = 5.67 years) and their parents at either an indoor, technology-based exhibit or an outdoor, nature-based exhibit. Overall, exhibit elements that were interactive or allowed for free play engaged children the most and fostered the most pretend play and sharing, regardless of indoor or outdoor environment. Directed play elements were associated with increased levels of parent involvement with their children at the exhibit, particularly outdoors. These novel results demonstrate how exhibit-level factors influence parent and children’s engagement in informal contexts. Implications for children’s autonomy in guiding their own informal learning experiences and recommendations for museum exhibit space design are discussed.

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展览环境与设计交互影响亲子参与的观察性研究

摘要：这项自然主义的观察性研究考察了两个以游戏为中心的科学中心展示的特定设计元素如何影响孩子和父母的参与。我们观察了57名3至9岁儿童的参与、假装游戏和分享水平（M = 5.67 年）和他们的父母在一个室内的、基于技术的展览或一个室外的、基于自然的展览上。总的来说，无论室内还是室外环境如何，互动或允许自由玩耍的展览元素都能最大限度地吸引孩子，并培养出最多的假装游戏和分享。定向游戏元素与父母在展览中与孩子的互动程度增加有关，尤其是在户外。这些新的结果表明，展示水平因素如何影响父母和孩子在非正式环境中的参与。讨论了儿童自主引导自己的非正式学习体验的意义，以及博物馆展览空间设计的建议。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Visitor Studies HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, SPORT & TOURISM-

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

13.30%

发文量