兒童透過遊戲學習、交朋友、培養創造力與生活本能，不僅認知生活的環境也認識自我是兒童成長社會化過程中不可或缺的因素。本研究目的為探討蘭嶼兒童遊戲行為與場所的認知，是否反應島嶼自然空間以及文化的特質？其遊戲行為是否受社會環境因素，如宗教、節慶、性別等的影響？本研究以認知圖法，請兒童繪出最喜歡玩的遊戲活動和遊戲空間，並訪談兒童與老師，調查蘭嶼島上蘭嶼、椰油、東清、朗島四所國小五、六年級學生，共101位。研究結果發現(1)認知圖反映出蘭嶼兒童在海邊、山巒、水芋田、空曠地的遊戲特質，並反映遊戲行為與環境認知相關。(2)兒童會將個人強烈的認知地點或最熟悉的地點放在認知圖的中央，並賦予其獨特的意涵或命名。(3)在蘭嶼獨特的背景下，兒童具有豐富的海洋與山巒的遊戲環境知識。(4)宗教、節慶與環境開發程度影響蘭嶼兒童的遊戲行為與其社會化行為。

Playing is an important factor that affects the growth of children. Playing offers children opportunities of learning and interaction as well as the cultivation of creativity and the exploration of intrinsic instincts. The purpose of this study was to explore whether the natural space and cultural characteristics of Orchid Island have influenced the cognition abilities of the local children, and whether social factors, such as religion, local celebrations, and gender have gradually infiltrated into children’s play behaviors. We set 101 students, of the fifth and sixth grades, from four primary schools, to drawing cognitive maps, which showed their favorite play activities and places. The children and teachers were interviewed in order to categorize and analyze the meaning of the places and activities. The results were: (1) the playing activities reflected the natural characteristics of Orchid island, which offers beaches, mountains, taros fields, and expansive space. (2) Children showed their strong cognitive abilities and familiarity of local locations on the center of their drawings and identified the places with special marks. (3) The cultural and tribal environment has had gradual influence on the children’s knowledge of nature and ocean, as evidenced in their play behaviors. (4) Religion, festivals, and developing island tourism had important impact on children’s socialization behaviors.