Reviews - Outdoor Play
This is a book filled with 'back to nature' activities, all simple to do and achieve in any setting.
The book is filled with mostly black and white photographs, showing the activities and how they have
been set up and most importantly showing the children taking part. In amongst the photographs are some
lovely line drawings by Marije Rowling.
Throughout the book, there are also boxes containing anecdotes, tips and some very amusing stories,
fitting nicely in with each chapter, I found myself looking out for the stories as I was reading. Each
chapter contains rhymes and songs, some that I remember singing as a child, and I have to confess, I did
have a sing out loud at a couple! Some of them I wondered what the tune would be, so that I could sing them.
The case studies at the end of the book are very interesting, looking at how some outdoor spaces were
developed, including lots of photographs and more line drawing plans. The further reading list is very
comprehensive, showing not only what else to read but where equipment and resources can be bought, with
web sites and stockists. Also included is a very useful list of poisonous plants - something that
practitioners always find useful. I would say that this is not a reference book but a journey into
childhood and a reminder of how wonderful outdoor experiences can and should be.
I found myself reminiscing about my own childhood and the things that I did. It is a reminder of
what we should be providing for children outdoors, back to nature, natural activities in the outdoor
environment. It is a lovely book to dip into and read different sections. You might find yourself
thinking, like I did, about how you could encourage this in your own setting and then going off to do it.
One for the bookshelf.
Helen Easby, Sure Start Teacher, Early Years Professional, Sure Start West Riverside Children's Centres.
Nature's Playthings is a nostalgic book. It is written by a Grandmother, recounting her own
childhood experiences in the 1940's of playing outdoor using the natural country environment
to discover and learn from.
As I read this book, I recall doing many of these things myself as a child
of the 1950's and passing them down to my own children, who are now around 30 years old themselves.
They, no doubt will pass these pleasures on to their own children in time. But I am middleclass, educated and live in
the country. Sadly, many children cannot receive such a rich, exciting childhood, exploring nature's playground.
So I ask myself 'who is this book intended for?' Is its
message limited in its audience? I can see it will appeal to
parents giving the book to their grown up children who are
parent themselves, to pass on their experiences that they
may have forgotten from their long gone childhood. I am
less sure if it will appeal to the young practitioners working
with children today in urban environments and that's where
the message needs to reach. Don't get me wrong, the book
has many great ideas, but I feel it will reach a limited
audience, and the presentation is too sentimental.
The book makes a good attempt to encourage a sense of
wonder in its reader and young practitioners need to
experience this so they will pass this on to the children.
There are many good ideas in the book, such as sycamore
helicopters, elder pea shooters and pooh sticks. Others, like
paddling in rain puddles, seem obvious yet may not be.
However, some of the activities such as Bilberry, hedgerow
hazelnuts, walnuts, swans mating and primroses under
hedgerows are generally just seen by the privileged few.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with passing on traditions
that may get forgotten but the nostalgia does nothing for
me. Today's children will find other creative ways to interact
with their environment and some of these would have
enhanced the book too.
Written by Ruth Livesey, Advisory Teacher, Education Sport and Culture, Jersey.
For anybody keen on
using the outdoor
environment with
children. All activities
have been tried and
tested as part of the Out
to Play project which
aims to engage children
in the natural environment and encourage the
imaginative use of outdoor spaces.
The pack includes a wide range of fun and stimulating
activities suitable for children aged 2 to 14 including:
exploring wildlife, growing things, woodland fun,
environmental art, wild food etc.
I have enjoyed environmental activities in the past and
hoped this book would have some new and
interesting ideas to try and I wasn't disappointed.
Some old favourites are included, such as crazy
grass-heads, but new ideas include making willow
lanterns and a wild food map. There are some good
ways to include children in eating what they grow such
as the indoor salad garden and growing your own
potatoes. The rain gauge was a good idea in our
current climate but will hopefully be superseded by a
mini-wildlife pond as the weather improves.
Overall the book had easy to follow instructions with
pleasing illustrations. The lay-out made it easy to find
an activity to suit most environmental themes with
activities grouped under both the elements and the
seasons along with items such as Creatures or Trees
and Leaves.
This would be a good book to use with either
individuals or groups of children and should have
something to suit most people. Some of the larger
projects could also provide a useful activity for a
holiday club. An added bonus is the permission of the
author to photocopy the book to use as handouts with
groups if needed.
Written by Sandra Roberts.
This book examines the long-lived success of The
Venture, an adventure playground in urban Wrexham.
Written by Fraser Brown, Reader at Leeds Metropolitan
University, from conversations with Malcolm King (a
founder and current manager of The Venture) and Ben
Tawil (one of its recent playworkers).
The Venture is an adventure playground situated in one
of the most deprived housing estates in Wales. This
case-study provides a fascinating insight into the
Venture's remarkable 25 year history and highlights the
vision, commitment and values that underpin its survival
and continued growth.
It offers compelling reflections on how generations of children and young people
have used this play space and how the child-centred approach practiced there
nurtures ownership and involvement at every level, providing an environment that
genuinely belongs to the children and young people.
It is this uncompromising commitment to empowerment and inclusion that attracts
even the most damaged and challenging children and young people to the Venture
and provides them with the chance of growth and recovery through play and
playful intervention.
However, despite this good practice, survival for the Venture has never been an
easy task. This booklet highlights the drive and determination needed to promote
the importance of play and keep it firmly on the political agenda.
The Venture offers hope and advice to anyone who has ever struggled to maintain
play provision against a backdrop of political obstacles and short-term funding. If you
want to find out why every child and every community needs a Venture you
must read this booklet. Or better still, go and see for yourself.
Written by Linda Paechter, Playwork Consultant, Edinburgh.
I found this short and informative film clear
and accessible. The narration was
concise and the people in the film were
relaxed and authentic.
The DVD supports the idea that if
children are exposed to fire they can
learn how to respect it and how to
manage and deal with it not as some
may think, to encourage arsonists.
The narrator used accessible
language and made some really
important assessment points.
Although the activities were not child lead - which
is an issue for Play Rangers in free open access play
settings - the children are exposed to fire which is in itself a
novelty. I would have liked to find out whether the children
themselves described the fire sculptures as 'exciting'? as is
written on the DVD case. However, the process did look fun
with those enormous scissors and chicken wire!
It was also really interesting to see how 'Yorkshire Play'
supports and promotes play in their area. As a Play Ranger
I really value how this professional sharing can build
confidence amongst other play practitioners. Also the format
of a DVD is accessible for group discussions within play
settings so it is a good professional learning and sharing
tool, I know I will be showing this DVD to my fellow workers,
not just for fire ideas but to show the clear planning of
activities.
Written by Isabel Brett, Play Ranger, Norwich & Norfolk Community Arts Ltd.
Links to other review sections:
Activities and Games,
Behaviour,
Management,
Outdoor Play,
Play,
Play in Schools,
Playwork Theory,
Play Therapy,
Playwork,
Rights and Responsibilities.
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