Friday 17 July 2015

Early child development: Body of knowledge : Nature : Nature Publishing Group

Early child development: Body of knowledge : Nature 

Full article can be read from the hyperlink above.

Three interesting and integrated articles relating to play, playspace design and nature by Barbara Kiser:  Learning through doing,  Günter Beltzig: Learn to play, play to learn  & Stephen Kellert: Build nature into education.

From the Stephen Kellert article 

"Immersion in the sensory and informational richness and dynamic qualities of woodlands, beaches and meadows evokes basic learning responses such as identification, differentiation, analysis and evaluation. Children distinguish big trees from little trees, house plants from garden plants, vines from ferns, ants from flies, ducks from songbirds, real creatures from imaginary ones. They develop quantitative skills by counting insects and flowers; gain materials knowledge from playing in grass and mud; intuit physics from how creek water responds to obstacles and opportunities. In recognizing hills, valleys, lakes, rivers and mountains, they learn geological form. In engaging with other life from redwood trees to hedgehogs, they encounter an endless source of curiosity, emotional attachment and a motivation for learning. In adapting to the ever-changing, often unpredictable natural world, they learn to cope and problem-solve."
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Wednesday 15 July 2015

IJERPH | Free Full-Text | What is the Relationship between Risky Outdoor Play and Health in Children? A Systematic Review | HTML


Full article can be read from the hyperlink above.

Photograph: Tim Laman/Getty images Tim Laman/Getty
"The evidence from our systematic review indicates that the overall positive health effects of increased risky outdoor play provide greater benefit than the health effects associated with avoiding outdoor risky play. Although these findings are based on ‘very low’ to ‘moderate’ quality evidence, the evidence suggests overall positive effects of risky outdoor play on a variety of health indicators and behaviours in children aged 3-12 years. Specifically, play where children can disappear/get lost and risky play supportive environments were positively associated with physical activity and social health, and negatively associated with sedentary behaviour. Play at height was not related to fracture frequency and severity. Engaging in rough and tumble play did not increase aggression, and was associated with increased social competence for boys and popular children, however results were mixed for other children. There was also an indication that risky play supportive environments promoted increased play time, social interactions, creativity and resilience.  These positive results reflect the importance supporting children’s risky outdoor play opportunities as a means of promoting children’s health and active lifestyles."




Tuesday 7 July 2015

Old MacDonald's Childcare

21 Mandalong Cl, Orchard Hills
NSW 2748


Some amazing before and "during" (because it is not totally finished yet) aerial drone shots of the phenomenal Old MacDonald's Childcare Centre in Orchard Hills, Sydney. Jamie and his crew have done an amazing job and just have to complete one more playspace before their opening in October 2015.


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