Category Archives: Outdoor play

Outdoor play

Last child in the street?

Posted on May 10, 2012 | 17 comments

How can we build the movement to make neighbourhoods, towns and cities more child-friendly? I hereby propose that we steal a page from the playbook of Richard Louv. Continue reading →

17 Comments

Posted in Outdoor play, Urban planning, Urbanism

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Two stories about why kids are not outdoors so much these days

Posted on April 19, 2012 | 81 comments

Breugel childrens gamesI have written quite a lot about the decline in children’s freedom to play and get around out of doors. The topic is often the subject of media debate. In an effort to raise the quality of this debate, I offer two charts with contrasting explanations for this change. Continue reading →

81 Comments

Posted in Mobility, Outdoor play

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Is ‘nature deficit disorder’ the right rallying cry?

Posted on April 10, 2012 | 15 comments

Rosa in a riverThe term ‘nature deficit disorder’ – as used by the National Trust in its recent report – has come in  for criticism, in a Guardian article, and in a post by playwork academic Wendy Russell on Play England’s Love Outdoor Play website. I share some of the concerns raised. But I think too much semantics is being made of the phrase. The critique also takes too little account of what the children and nature movement is actually saying and doing.

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15 Comments

Posted in Health, Nature, Outdoor play

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National Trust calls for action on children and nature

Posted on March 30, 2012 | 8 comments

NT Natural Childhood report coverThe National Trust this morning announced a two-month inquiry into children’s relationship with nature. Launching the inquiry with the publication of a report written by leading naturalist and broadcaster Stephen Moss, the Trust – Britain’s biggest charity, with over four million members – calls for concerted action to reconnect children with the natural world.

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8 Comments

Posted in Health, Nature, Outdoor play, Public policy

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Is street play coming back into fashion?

Posted on March 28, 2012 | 15 comments

PLAYINGOUT LOGO colour

Last week I was tipped off about an intriguing job opportunity: a street play research officer. Which global city, you may wonder, is showing such a strong interest in this topic? Mumbai, perhaps? Nope. Rio de Janeiro? Wrong again. The answer is New York City. It’s just one sign that street play, often consigned to the black-and-white memories of baby-boomers, is enjoying something of a renaissance.

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15 Comments

Posted in Outdoor play, Public policy, Urbanism

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The outdoor child: doomed to extinction?

Posted on March 15, 2012 | 8 comments

Shrinking horizons of childhoodEvery year since 1979 there has been a Big Garden Bird Watch, a UK-wide survey organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. I can’t help wondering about a survey of a different species: a Big Outdoor Child Watch.

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8 Comments

Posted in Child development, Health, Nature, Outdoor play, Parenting

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