Journal RSS

10 minute reads, dangerous play, OPAL, Outdoor Play and Learning, risk:benefit, Risky play - May 18, 2025

The real danger is no danger

How many people complain how young people today are incapable and lack resilience? Taking part in risky play is the way children learn their limits and capabilities, and develop the ability to overcome adversity, that all-important 'grit'.

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March 30, 2024

The adventure of the balance beam...

Standing, sitting upright, holding a pencil: how many hours of work do you have to put in to master these everyday practices? Children need to get outdoors and move if they are to develop physically - it's why we we campaign to get kids outside every day: climbing, running, jumping, looping the loop.

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March 30, 2024

Outdoor play - the evidence

There is an growing body of research to show outdoor play is critical to children’s social, emotional and academic development. Our 2018 literature review brings together the evidence showing how play benefits children and young people.

Outdoor People on Podcasts

A round-up of the podcasts featuring Cath Prisk talking about the importance of children being outdoors at home, at school and every day.

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Early Years, Play theory, School - February 23, 2021

The purpose of education is life, and that includes outdoor play

What is the purpose of education? This is a question posed by the Purpose/Ed campaign back in 2013, and this was my response... Given we are now returning to school post Covid this seems ever more important.

The news about schools leading ‘catch up’ sessions in the summer made us think about what this means, and reminded us of this journal post. Yes give kids the tools they need to learn, but before the autumn they need to be given the space to catch up with themselves and just to play.

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