SoundWear

SoundWear is a wearable sound-augmentation system designed to enrich children's open-ended outdoor play through non-speech auditory feedback. The project investigates how everyday and instrumental sounds influence physical activity, social interaction, and imaginative behaviors in a "head-up" play context. By utilizing a wrist-worn device that enables sound exploration, selection, sonification via arm swings, and device-to-device transmission, the research demonstrates that different sound types evoke distinct play patterns. Everyday sounds significantly foster imaginative utterances and role-play by providing a specific margin for interpretation, while instrumental sounds integrate transparently into traditional games, supporting intense physical activity and social coordination. The system functions as a transparent technology that maintains the benefits of traditional outdoor play while leveraging digital features to create a shared sense of ownership and identity among children.