[Pilot evaluation of the «Transformem els patis» program in elementary schools in Barcelona]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the "Transformem els patis" (Let's transform the schoolyards) program in Barcelona in terms of schoolyard use, social interaction, physical activity, and diverse forms of play with a gender perspective.

Method: A cross-sectional pilot evaluation study with mixed methodology involving eight primary schools (four in intervention group and four in control group). For the quantitative analysis, 16 systematic observations were performed in the schoolyards of both groups. The group size, group composition according to sex, physical activity, the carried-out activity and play structures or material use, and environmental variables were analyzed. For the qualitative analysis, three structured group interviews were held with teachers and the monitoring team of the intervention group. A thematic content analysis with a phenomenological perspective was conducted, exploring changes related to the physical schoolyard transformation, its educational use, and interactions among children, and the overall assessment of the schoolyard transformation.

Results: 192 groups of schoolchildren were observed in the intervention group and 203 in the control group. The transformed schoolyards had more natural elements, play structures, places to sit and non-cemented flooring. Compared to the non-transformed schoolyards, both in the boys' and girls' groups, a higher proportion of active play was registered, as well as a higher proportion of non-sport games and imaginative games among boys and a lower proportion of girls watched the schoolyard.

Conclusions: Transformed the schoolyards are more inclusive, naturalized, playable, and equitable, with a greater diversity of elements and play structures.

Keywords: Child; Equidad de género; Escuelas; Evaluación de programas y proyectos de salud; Gender equity; Interacción social; Niño; Program evaluation; Recreación; Recreation; Schools; Social interaction.