“PLAY SPACES” IN THE NATURAL FOREST CONTEXT OF MANI CHILDREN: CULTURAL DIMENSIONS, LEARNING, AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the characteristics of play spaces used by Mani children within a natural forest environment and to study patterns of play activities that reflect their culture, learning processes, and way of life. The study examined dimensions of forest-based living environments, social interactions, and play activities related to child development. It seeks to provide new perspectives on child development in contexts that differ from mainstream settings, while enhancing understanding of the cultural context and traditional lifestyle of the Mani people. This study employed a qualitative ethnographic research approach. Descriptive data obtained through behavioral observation forms were used to support qualitative interpretation. The research explored play spaces, play behaviors, and learning processes of Mani children within their cultural and natural environmental contexts through fieldwork, participant observation, in-depth interviews, and behavioral recording in their current forest-based living environment. The findings revealed that: the play spaces of Mani children in the Pa Bon group consist of naturally occurring open areas scattered around residential and community spaces rather than specially designed playgrounds. These include front yards, house verandas, areas beside and behind houses, streams, waterfalls, trees, forests surrounding the community, and clay-soil areas. The play activities of Mani children in the Pa Bon group are closely connected to their community’s way of life and cultural practices. Rather than relying on manufactured toys, children creatively use natural materials available in their surroundings as toys and play equipment, such as wild banana leaves, branches, leaves, clay, stones, medicinal plants, and other forest materials.