Researching the benefits of the outdoor environment for children

Abstract

Children who grow up with access to safe outdoor play space also develop a greater sense of connection with their community; and communities that enhance social capital by securing safe outdoor play spaces raise happier children. Narrative Journey could equally be an epic adventure or quest planted within a landscape inviting players to embark on a day-long journey. The European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), in Cornwall, is a part of the University of Exeter Medical School. At ECEHH the author and his team have been working together with a local community interest company, Exhale, to explore how children value the outdoor environment as a play space. They have therefore been conducting a series of 'laboratory' experiments in collaboration with local primary schools to explore how exposure to urban and natural environments influences children's attention and self-control abilities. The value of 'risky play' as a vital component of outdoor play for preschool children has been well established.