This research, presented as a conference poster, develops a play-based participatory design toolkit that enables children ages 3–7 to engage as contributors in the design of learning environments. Early childhood environments significantly influence emotional regulation, attention, and social interaction, yet young children are rarely included in design processes due to the limitations of adult-centered research methods. This project addresses that gap by introducing a developmentally appropriate methodology grounded in play, storytelling, and sensory interaction. The toolkit is structured as a game-based system that includes a classroom base-plan mat, story prompt cards, emotion tokens, and material swatches. Through facilitated sessions, children respond to imaginative scenarios and interact with spatial elements, allowing them to communicate preferences and needs without relying solely on verbal expression. Activities such as storytelling, spatial arrangement, and emotional mapping generate multiple forms of qualitative data, including spatial behavior patterns, sensory preferences, and emotional responses. Literature review suggest that children can express complex spatial needs, such as preferences for calm, retreat, movement, and social interaction, when provided with appropriate tools. Observations of play behaviors, gestures, and narratives reveal how children interpret and experience space, offering insights that are often inaccessible through traditional methods. Grounded in participatory design, developmental psychology, and environmental research, this project proposes a replicable framework that supports designers in integrating children’s perspectives into early childhood environments. By translating play-based interactions into design insights, the research contributes to more inclusive, responsive, and emotionally supportive learning spaces.
This research focuses on developing play-based participatory design methods that enable children ages 3–7 to contribute to the design of early learning environments. It explores how storytelling, sensory interaction, and game-based tools can capture children’s spatial, emotional, and behavioral responses. The work aims to translate these insights into actionable design strategies that support well-being and learning.
