Design and Development of an Activity Playground Based on Brain-Based Learning to Promote Early Childhood Development through Local Wisdom Learning

Abstract

            This research aimed 1) to organize a brainstorming forum to foster collaboration among stakeholders in the design and development of an activity playground based on Brain-Based Learning (BBL), integrating elements of local wisdom, and 2) to study and compare early childhood development in four domains-physical, emotional, social, and cognitive-before and after utilizing the prototype playground. This study employed a developmental research design. The target group consisted of 48 boys and girls aged 4–5 years from the Demonstration School of Buriram Rajabhat University, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments included an early childhood development assessment form and a behavioral observation form. Data were analyzed using a paired samples t-test and descriptive analysis.

            The results revealed that 1) the brainstorming forum and collaboration among stakeholders effectively supported the design and development of the BBL-based activity playground, which was appropriate for preschool children’s developmental levels and successfully integrated local wisdom in a harmonious manner, and 2) children's development significantly improved in all four domains at the .05 level. Notably, cognitive development showed the highest gain (t = 4.23, p < .001), followed by physical development (t = 3.57, p = .002), indicating the effectiveness of the BBL-based playground in stimulating active learning, imagination, and enjoyment. This study suggests that combining BBL principles with cultural context is an effective approach to enhancing holistic early childhood development. The model could be adapted and implemented in other early childhood educational settings to foster sustainable, meaningful learning.