PROFESSOR HELEN WOOLLEY

Children’s Relationship with Nature in Outdoor Play: Past, Present and Future

Children have always played outdoors, however the opportunities and character of such play constantly changes. Helen will illustrate how this has been particularly evident in her own lifetime where changes in family and society have been highly influential. Such changes are sometimes supportive, but often restricting children’s activities in outdoor environments and therefore limiting children’s experience with nature. Part of this journey through time includes the highlight of policy and funding support by the English government at the turn of the new millenium.

Helen’s presentation will give insights into the poor provision of constructed spaces evidenced by the Play Value Assessment tool that she and her team h