Environments for Outdoor Play
A Practical Guide to Making Space for Children
- Theresa Casey - President of the International Play Association
'This practical book helps the reader plan, design and manage the kinds of settings that afford children the opportunities to carry out the wide range of self-directed activities that are so important to their development. It's ideal for community development workers, the organizers of after-school programs, children's hospital staff and groups of caring parents' - Roger A. Hart, Director of the Children's Environments Research Group, The Graduate School of the City University of New York
'This readable and usable book is full of advice and ideas which will take every professional nearer to understanding the way to provide opportunities for children which the children themselves would want and enjoy... A necessary addition to the bookshelf for all interested in the subject' - PlayRights Journal (online journal of the International Play Association)
'Refreshing and insightful... One of the best things about this book is that Casey offers us a fresh perspective on our role. While we may long for a world where we opened the door and sent children outside to play, we are faced with the reality that, for a variety of reasons, these opportunities are no longer occurring naturally in our communities. It is encumbent upon us now to recreate these "essential childhood opportunities." This will take intentional, thoughtful, informed design. Casey's book gives us some great starting points. A must read' - PlayRights Magazine
'I like the attention to individuality, children's perspectives and community. The author brings a strong playwork perspective to considering outdoor spaces, which early years practitioners considering the design of new or refurbished areas should find valuable. It's crucial to free up our thinking about playful spaces, and this book brings a refreshing focus on working from children's motivations for play, using playful values (such as choice, spontaneity, freedom and meaning-making) to drive thinking, being careful not to over-design, and the organic growth of a space into a place through the play that occurs' - Nursery World
'Casey's extensive research and years of practice in award winning play services are very much in evidence in the various techniques and ideas that she describes in this publication... a great resource for any play setting considering setting up or developing thier outdoor play space' - SOSCN News Update
'If you are daunted, but excited, by the challenge of developing your outdoor spaces to meet the needs of all children, this book is an excellent resource' - Early Years Update
Exciting spaces to play are vital if we are to provide children with challenging, flexible, inclusive and stimulating opportunities to learn, develop and have fun together.
This book provides readers with ideas for developing play environments that will meet the needs of the children in their care. It illustrates how improving the play environment also offers a better, more positive way of dealing with a number of issues from inclusion to playground management and the need to promote physical activity.
It includes:
- clear frameworks for designing play environments;
- case studies showing examples of how play environments can be developed;
- ideas and activities which lead to interesting designs, with the participation of the children;
- practical examples, illustrations & photographs;
- research evidence showing the importance of good play environments.
The book is aimed at practitioners and managers in all early years and children's play settings, and students on education, early childhood, child care and playwork courses. It is also very relevant to playground designers, landscape architects and community education and development workers.
'This practical book helps the reader plan, design and manage the kinds of settings that afford children the opportunities to carry out the wide range of self-directed activities that are so important to their development. It’s ideal for community development workers, the organizers of after-school programs, children’s hospital staff and groups of caring parents' - Roger A. Hart, Director of the Children’s Environments Research Group, The Graduate School of the City University of New York
"Recommending solid ideas for developing play environments that meet children's needs, chapters discuss frameworks for designing play environments, case studies offering examples of how play environments can be developed, ideas and activities, research evidence pointing toward the importance of good play environments, and more."
—MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
This is a well set out book, it is very user friendly. It is full of good ideas and insights for learners.
A good book that explain the outdoor play as a learning resource in EY.
As we have focused on creativity and using a range of teaching strategies, this has proven to be a very helpful book to develop thoughts and ideas.
The book is easily accessable for students and provides practical tips for using outdoor spaces with children. The layout and presentation of information makes it suitable for the use in an applied course in Early Childhood Care and Education.
During my sessions on outdoor learning I will refer to this text, especially for those trainees who have a specialism within the early years.
Very user friendly and enjoyable with great examples and practical ideas
Given the need for a greater understanding in early education for planning for outdoor play in day care setting, this book is of interest to practitioners as well as those involved in Early Education training delivery.
During the module on Communication, Learning and Play, my first year B.Ed students have a session on planning outdoor play. This book will be recommended reading for that session.