Rethinking the designs of private spaces in kindergartens through the views of children

Abstract

Despite insufficient attention, children have the right to a quality educational environment that respects their need for privacy and is designed with their participation. The study aims to seek how to design better private space in kindergarten with the help of the children’s perspective. Spatial typologies created by scrutinizing kindergarten environments have been submitted to children’s evaluation. In the participatory study conducted in one private kindergarten in Turkey, 20 children aged 5 to 6 have conveyed their thoughts through drawings, group and individual interviews. Data analysis shows that private spaces that have escape holes, allow personal choices, formable, relate its form to confidence and imagination, and provide comfort, support children’s privacy needs. Design proposals for spatial typologies have been developed to contribute to academic and practical fields by discussing the impact of this issue on child development.