98: The Tool for Observing Play Outdoors (TOPO) - Part 1

In this episode, I discuss the article The Tool for Observing Play Outdoors (TOPO): A New Typology for Capturing Children's Play Behaviors in Outdoor Environments by Loebach & Cox. You'll learn how this tool was developed and tested, and hear about the 9 categories of outdoor play and their subtypes included on this tool. This episode will help you hone your observation skills of children's play and consider ways to inspire different kinds of play in your outdoor therapy sessions. Next week (in part 2) we'll talk about implications for nature-based therapists and how you can use the TOPO tool in your practice to become a more skilled facilitator of play in your nature-based sessions.

00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy

00:59 Personal Reflections

02:18 Introduction to the TOPO Tool

03:13 Abstract and Relevance of the TOPO Tool

05:38 Development Phases of the TOPO Tool

09:17 Nine Types of Outdoor Play

10:43 Physical Play and Its Subtypes

12:31 Exploratory Play and Its Subtypes

13:32 Imaginative Play and Its Subtypes

15:15 Play with Rules and Its Subtypes

17:32 Expressive Play and Its Subtypes

20:15 Bio Play and Its Subtypes

21:20 Restorative Play and Its Subtypes

23:45 Digital Play and Non-Play Categories

26:28 Conclusion and Certification Information

Enrollment is open till Dec 31 at 5pm CST for you to become a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist or Therapy Assistant in the ConTiGO Approach. Go to contigoapproach.com to get all the details and join us before the price goes up in 2025 for the first time in 5 years!