Outdoor play is a significant and essential aspect of a young child’s development and enjoys a renewed emphasis in early years practice, in keeping with the core principles embedded within the early years tradition. However, this emphasis may sit uneasily alongside a requirement to focus on the development of literacy and numeracy skills and supporting outdoor play can raise a number of thorny issues such as freedom, safety and risk.
This book challenges the reader to consider:
Why outdoor play is seen to be of significance within early childhood
Whether this view is justified (what are the benefits of outdoor play?)
The implications for practitioners who may be facing conflicting pressures in their work with young children
In particular, the writers skillfully blend theory, research and practical guidance to address three important issues:
What constitutes ‘good’ outdoor provision for young children and babies?
How do we respect and respond to the young child in outdoor provision?
How do we support risky play within the bounds of a statutory curriculum or regulatory regime?
Incorporating chapters from internationally renowned authors working in this field, this book is recommended both for practitioners involved in early years education and care and for students at foundation, degree and post-graduate levels.
