This blog has been kindly contributed by one of our association’s members, Dr Sue Elliott, who is a recently retired academic educator with expertise in nature play for children. She is also a member of Sustainable Living Armidale. We applaud Sue’s ideas and welcome any comments from readers - see comments section at the bottom of the blog.
A creeklands vision inclusive of nature play for children
Many readers may recall wandering far afield in their childhoods, perhaps exploring creeks, building forts or making mud pies. A childhood not constrained by daily schedules, built environments, safety legislation and the ever watchful gaze of adults. While it may not be feasible to return to such ‘dangerous’ days, increasingly research is demonstrating that today’s children are missing out. There are documented concerns evident around rising childhood obesity levels with long term health implications; urbanisation with reduced access to outdoor playspaces; increased sedentary screen-based activity; the busyness of contemporary childhoods; plus, children’s disconnection from nature with implications for global sustainability.
In response to these concerns, there have been shifts in understandings about children’s outdoor play and playspaces, both internationally and nationally. This is occurring across all settings from public playgrounds to early childhood education services and schools. Some excellent examples of what is happening in leading public Australian playspaces can be found here:
A water play area within the Wild Play garden in Sydney’s Centennial Park
https://www.centennialparklands.com.au/wildplay (NB you can read more of our thoughts on this garden on our Inspirations tab on our webpage here).
Welcome sign to Naturescape play area within Kings Park, Perth.
A key shift has been towards playspaces or playscapes where natural elements and features predominate, not manufactured equipment surrounded by synthetic surfacing. Natural elements might include trees, bushes, tanbark, rocks and logs with significant play features such as dry creek beds, dirt mounds, climbing logs, sand pits or water courses. Such diversity offers sensory experiences, opportunities for discovery and creativity, many loose play materials like leaves and sticks and observable changes over time with each visit. Also, nature playspace sites can be readily interwoven with local First Nations People’s perspectives and unique regional flora and fauna. Overall, there are a breadth of play and learning opportunities to meet the varied ages, cultures and interests among children.
Various research papers report on the benefits of nature-based playspaces for children ranging from the promotion of physical health and skills, through to green leafy spaces for positive mental health, enhanced executive functioning and addressing Vitamin D deficiency concerns. In addition, nature-based playspaces invite children’s agency aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), respecting their right to make decisions and choices as they manipulate and explore the outdoors and connect with nature. As adults, we must remember outdoors is a fully immersive experience for children to construct and reconstruct understandings about how the natural world around them works. This is a fundamental experience informing how interdependencies between humans and nature are perceived, particularly in a time of climate crisis.
So, it is time to ask what is the potential in Armidale for nature playspaces? Over recent years Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre and Martin’s Gully PS have taken leading steps, but much more is possible to promote outdoor play in our unique high altitude nature. Integral to the Visions for Armidale Creeklands must be places that invite children to play: it might be simply a log to balance on, a bushy thicket to hide in or some boulders to clamber over. All offer much potential!
Addendum: Our association notes that a ‘nature-themed adventure playground’ is envisaged within the Council-approved Armidale Creeklands Masterplan (p78). So, we hope that Council will engage with experts like Sue - and seek comments from the community - to design an exciting and safe nature play facility for the benefit of our community’s children before too much longer!
