Category Archives: Learning

Learning and education

National Trust shares my plea for benign neglect

Posted on February 5, 2013 | 8 Comments

child on a beach at sunsetToday the National Trust’s Outdoor Nation website posted a piece from me that aims to win parents over to the goal of expanding children’s horizons. I had to think carefully when writing it.

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Posted in Child development, Learning, Outdoor play, Parenting, Risk

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What a pile of autumn leaves tells us about risk

Posted on November 23, 2012 | 6 Comments

Here’s a seasonal activity for you, with a hint – or more than a hint – of adventure: leaf-pile-diving.

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Posted in Learning, Nature, Outdoor play, Risk

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The low-cost, anytime bug hunt kit

Posted on November 7, 2012 | 1 Comment

specimen jar and magnifying glassWant to offer your kids – or the kids you work with – a simple, cheap way to get closer to nature? Just follow these three simple steps. 1: get yourself down to your nearest health clinic to buy/scrounge some specimen jars like the ones in this photo. 2: buy some magnifying glasses online (around 50p/a dollar each). 3: head for your nearest green space, and start hunting!

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Posted in Education, Learning, Nature, Outdoor play

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A child is taught to ride a bike – and see how many people are helping her

Posted on October 2, 2012 | 12 Comments

Here’s a video of a young boy being taught to ride a bike. (It’s in Dutch – but you really don’t need to know the language.)

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Posted in Learning, Mobility, Parenting, Public space, Risk

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It’s health and safety gone sane!

Posted on September 3, 2012 | 48 Comments

Glamis Adventure Playground double swingI see what you did there. So I take it you are not about to share another crazy story about kids being wrapped in cotton wool.
Indeed not. Today is a good day for getting rid of the white fluffy stuff. You see, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a statement that promotes a balanced, thoughtful approach to safety in children’s play.

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Posted in Education, Learning, Outdoor play, play, Play spaces, playground, Public policy, Risk

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When anxious parents are the problem, what is the solution?

Posted on July 25, 2012 | 13 Comments

baby-girl-knee-padsHow should schools, nurseries, kindergartens and other education, childcare and play services respond to anxious parents? I was asked this question recently by an Australian early years educator who heard me speak a couple of months ago.

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Posted in Education, Learning, Outdoor play, Parenting, Risk

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