The biggest risk is keeping kids indoors : TreeHugger

The biggest risk is keeping kids indoors : TreeHugger



Great article with a link to current canadian research. Access the full article from the hyperlink above.

“Access to active play in nature and outdoors—with its risks— is essential for healthy child development. We recommend increasing children’s opportunities for self-directed play outdoors in all settings—at home, at school, in child care, the community and nature.”



Activity statement can be accessed through article.


Abstract

: A diverse, cross-sectorial group of partners, stakeholders and researchers, collaborated to develop an evidence-informed Position Statement on active outdoor play for children aged 3–12 years. The Position Statement was created in response to practitioner, academic, legal, insurance and public debate, dialogue and disagreement on the relative benefits and harms of active (including risky) outdoor play.

Photos of the completed The Green Elephant Early Learning Centre

                                     The Green Elephant Early Learning Centre,
                                         Rosebery, Sydney New South Wales, 
                                                      Construction: J M Landscapes


It was a total pleasure working with Greg And Effie to create a design for this purpose built centre. It makes a great difference to have owners and architects who are both knowledgeable and enthusiastic to embrace the benefits of natural play environments. I have previously discussed the emergence in Sydney of centres such as this in my post Childcare playspace design response to population density changes. The Green Elephant Early Learning Centre is an outstanding example of a project where consideration was given to the use of the space prior to the build rather than attempting to retrofit an unsuitable space after the design.
 

Nature Table

Just putting the finishing touches to a nature table, then off to its new home. The table is made from reclaimed wood and the critters are firmly locked in place with perspex and then sealed against the elements. The centipede has been placed in natural hollow in the wood and then covered with perspex to rectify the levels and stop busy little fingers from taking it home.