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Online questionnaire - fill it out if you're interested

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Online questionnaire - fill it out if you're interested

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https://lboro.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/online-survey-on-childrens-engagement-with-nature

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Before you decide we would like you to understand why the student is undertaking the research and what it would involve. Please contact one of the investigators using the contact details below if you have any questions.

This study aims to gain information that will help students develop design solutions as part of a UX MA Major Project. This particular project aims to explore UK parents' attitudes to children's outdoor activities so that the researcher can identify opportunities to encourage parents to visit nature with their children in a more regular and meaningful way.

This study is part of a student research project supported by Loughborough University. Meifeng Wang is undertaking this study, who Rebecca Cain supervises.

We will ask you to complete an online survey, which should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. You do not need to do anything before completing the survey. By taking part, you will contribute to developing the design solutions and help identify areas for improvement. As this is an online survey, it is a low-risk activity. Loughborough University Ethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee confirms there are no disadvantages or risks associated with participating.

You must be over the age of 18 and have the capacity to understand and consent to this research fully. You should be expected to have the experience of exploring nature or exploring nature as part of a family group.

Loughborough University will be using information/data from you to undertake this study. It will act as the data controller for this study. This means that the University is responsible for looking after your information and using it properly. If identifiable personal information such as your name and email address is asked for, this will be used only to arrange any follow up sessions with you, and not for any other purposes.

The student will use your anonymised data in logbooks, reports, and posters relating to the project and within the student's design portfolio. No individual will be identifiable in any report, presentation, or publication. Loughborough University's computer systems will securely store all information will be securely stored on. The student will retail anonymised data until the final project marks have been verified, expected October 2022.

After you have read this information - and asked any questions you may have - please read the consent page and confirm your consent. You can confirm your consent by checking the tick box at the bottom of the page. You can withdraw from the survey at any time by closing the browser. However, as the survey is anonymous, you cannot withdraw your data from the study once you have submitted the survey.

Rebecca Cain (Responsible Investigator), School of Design & Creative Arts, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, r.cain@lboro.ac, 01509 228922

Meifeng Wang (Main investigator), School of Design & Creative Arts, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, m.wang2-21@student.lboro.ac.uk,
What if I am unhappy with how the research was conducted?
If you are not happy with how the research was conducted, please contact the Secretary of the Ethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee, Research & Enterprise Office, Hazlerigg Building, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TU. Tel: 01509 222423. Email: researchpolicy@lboro.ac.uk

The University also has policies relating to Research Misconduct and Whistle Blowing which are available online at https://www.lboro.ac.uk/internal/research-ethics-integrity/research-integrity/.

If you require any further information regarding the General Data Protection Regulations, please see: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/privacy/research-privacy/
Informed Consent

The purpose and details of this study have been explained to me.

I understand that this study is designed to further academic knowledge, and that all procedures have been approved by the Loughborough University Ethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee.

I have read and understood the information above and this consent form.

I have had an opportunity to ask questions about my participation.

I understand that if identifiable personal information such as my name and email address is asked for, this will be used only to arrange any follow up sessions with me, and not for any other purposes.

I understand that I am under no obligation to take part in the study and can withdraw during the survey by closing the browser but will not be able to withdraw once my responses have been submitted.

I understand that information I provide will be used for coursework submission and for a student design portfolio.

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Online survey on children's engagement with nature

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Before you decide we would like you to understand why the student is undertaking the research and what it would involve. Please contact one of the investigators using the contact details below if you have any questions. This study aims to gain information that will help students develop design solutions as part of a UX MA Major Project.

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I voluntarily agree to take part in this study.

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I voluntarily agree to take part in this study.

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Fail to access to the specialists in their field

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Fail to access to the specialists in their field

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Tugba is 45 years old, and mother of two children: It

is very difficult to access to the nature from the city.

When we desire to attend an event, we necessarily need

to consult an expert. But it is very difficult to find the right

people. Everyone consider themselves specialists even if

they do not have sufficient knowledge. That's why we

have significant problems, so we can not trust people. I

never resign my child to someone whom I do not trust.
(Merve, 2018)

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Merve, C., 2018. With parental eye, factors that prevent to attend nature activites. Educational Research and Reviews, 13(24), pp.769-776.

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“Young kids that learn and play outside get direct experience of weather and the seasons and wildlife – things that are only possible outdoors – and they get to assess risks, solve problems and develop creativity,” said Lucy Hellier, WWT learning project manager. “The benefits may seem obvious, but in reality many children don’t get to be outdoors in a natural environment in any regular or meaningful way. And that’s even more common among kids from deprived areas.”
(The Guardian, 2022)

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Three-quarters of UK children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates - survey

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Time spent playing in parks, woods and fields has shrunk dramatically due to lack of green spaces, digital technology and parents' fears

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The Guardian. 2022. Three-quarters of UK children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates – survey. [online] Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/25/three-quarters-of-uk-children-spend-less-time-outdoors-than-prison-inmates-survey> [Accessed 16 March 2022].

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Sears said: “Parents see the value of outdoor play and still it doesn’t happen. Outdoor time is shrinking. It is a gigantic paradox.” He said fear of strangers, traffic or accidents deterred parents from allowing children to play outside, as did lack of time due to busy school and work lives. “It’s time we gave parents the tools, skills and confidence to do the things that they know are good for their children.”
(The Guardian, 2022)

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The National Trust research showed that children are playing outside for an average of just over four hours a week. This compares unfavorably with 8.2 hours for their parents when they were children.
(Child in the City, 2022)

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A recent UK study commissioned by the National Trust found that children spend half the time playing outside that their parents did.
The National Trust research showed that children are playing outside for an average of just over four hours a week. This compares unfavorably with 8.2 hours for their parents when they were children. What's more, a study by the UK government study found that 10% of respondents have not even been in a natural environment such as a park, forest or beach for at least a year. It showed that overall engagement with outside rural spaces is low in the modern age, and as you might expect, highly dependent on both the parent's attitudes to outdoor activity and their socio-economic status.

But it's not just a UK phenomenon. A recent study by the Seattle Children's Research Institute appearing in the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine discovered that almost 50% of preschoolers lacked even one parent-supervised outdoor play session per day. On average, children aged 10 to 16 now spend only 12.6 minutes a day on vigorous outdoor activity compared with 10.4 waking hours being relatively motionless.

We are raising a generation of sedentary kids who would much rather sit on the couch with a game controller and Mario than be outside armed only with a stick and their imagination.

What does it mean for Kids?

There are many that show real benefits to outdoor play that children could be missing out on. It's not just fresh air and pretty scenery, there are real physical and mental benefits to spending time outside.

Just being outside boosts Vitamin D levels. Moreover, manipulating real-world objects and navigating real environments can help develop motor-skills and spatial awareness. There is even evidence to suggest that exposure to the sun can also help with eyesight as pupil restriction helps train the muscle and increase farsightedness. As well as the physical benefits, children also receive a great boost to mental acuity by spending time outdoors.
Outdoor VS. Indoor
The weight of evidence is clear. Outdoor play leads to physically and mentally stronger kids that are more confident and socially better adjusted. This is not to say there are no benefits to playing inside, however. Indoor play can be hugely beneficial to the imagination. It can enhance creativity and other cognitive development depending on the activity chosen.

For example, reading books improves memory and knowledge, stimulates brain function, reduces stress levels and increases your child's attention span. While learning an instrument 'exercises' the brain and improves memory, cognitive development and can even improve concentration and energy levels.

It is simplistic to say that outdoor activities are good, indoor bad. There are benefits to both. It is clear though that in our modern age, the balance has swung too far in favor of indoor activities and this is something that must be addressed if children are to reap the benefits. Getting children to spend more time outdoors is essential if we are to give the next generation physical and mental health they need to thrive in life.

Why are Children Playing Outside Less?

Technology is the big headline. Children are bombarded with new entertainment mediums, from more established tech like TV and film to cutting edge games, social media and mobile phones. There are more diversions than ever to occupy the minds and time of children. But it would be way too simplistic to say that everything is the fault of the rise in new media.

As the value of land increases, it can seem much more important to build new apartments or office blocks rather than leave open spaces for kids in cities to play in. Though many urban areas are waking up to the importance of open spaces for the happiness and productivity of its citizens, there are still huge financial pressures to makes every open space a more 'productive' part of the landscape.

Town planners are not entirely responsible for the demise in children's play areas though. There has also been a big shift in parental attitudes over the years and the attitudes of child caretakers, such as teachers and nursery staff. An atmosphere of fear has built up amongst those responsible for looking after children.

by the National Children's Bureau in the UK revealed that nearly 50% of parents let "fear of strangers" prevent them from allowing sons or daughters to play outside. This fear is mostly media-driven with crime statistics showing that child kidnappings or attacks are definitely not on the rise.

Organizations that look after children, such as nurseries or schools are also greatly concerned with the possibilities of being sued should a child injure themselves while under their care. Sadly, this risk averse culture is actually harming kids rather than protecting them as it is contributing to them having a far more coddled childhood, leading to a lack of independence later in life.

Can Kids be Safely Reintroduced to the Great Outdoors?

It can seem like there is nothing you can do to fight the rising tide of technology and fear. But don't worry. There are sensible steps you can take to ensure your child enjoys the many benefits of outdoor play. There are three simple steps to take:
Set Sensible Indoor Boundaries
So firstly, it is up to you to control how much time your child spends indulging themselves with indoor pursuits. They key thing is to break-up the habit of coming inside and automatically putting on the TV or looking at a mobile phone. Ensure they understand that a mix of activity is an essential part of a balanced day.

Make the Outdoors Fun Again

At least equally important as setting restrictions on shiny technology is to make the outdoors as appealing to your child as possible. Cast your mind back to childhood and remember the things that intrigued you and set fire to your imagination. Make sure your child has all the tools at their disposal to enjoy the best the outdoors has to offer. Let them use their creativity to bring playtime to life.

In addition to activities, it is important to give children a space that is their own to enjoy and have adventures. If you have a backyard, why not provide an area for them to enjoy and use how they will. Forts and treehouses are the stuff of childhood dreams. If you don't have a backyard, make playdates at local parks and playgrounds. You can also use websites like Trip Advisor to find attractions in your local area.
Safely Relax
Feeling protective of your children is entirely natural. But remember they are also very resilient and tough. It is rare the child that escapes childhood without a few scrapes and bruises along the way, but that is a natural part of growing up.

There is nothing wrong with creating rules for outdoor play. Certainly not venturing out onto roads should be one of them, for example. But don't try to clear away all risks. Learning how to assess and contain risks is an essential part of childhood development and they should be able to make their own mistakes within well-defined parameters.

Though very young children should always be safely supervised, as children get older being trusted to be outside on their own is an important badge of achievement. It is up to the development of each child and the feelings of each parent as to when this time arrives but it will help to develop their self-confidence and feelings of self-worth. If you can relax within defined safety boundaries, you will give your child a balanced, healthy childhood, full of fun, imagination and play, that they will thank you for throughout their lives.

This is the condensed version of the original article to read the full article click

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Children spend half the time playing outside in comparison to their parents

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A recent UK study commissioned by the National Trust found that children spend half the time playing outside that their parents did. The National Trust research showed that children are playing outside for an average of just over four hours a week. This compares unfavorably with 8.2 hours for their parents when they were children.

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Child in the City. 2022. Children spend half the time playing outside in comparison to their parents. [online] Available at: <https://www.childinthecity.org/2018/01/15/children-spend-half-the-time-playing-outside-in-comparison-to-their-parents/?gdpr=accept> [Accessed 16 March 2022].

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1.  Sunshine
2.  Exercise
3.  Executive function
4.  Taking risks
5.  Socialization
6.  Appreciation of nature
(Harvard Health, 2022)

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Here's something really simple you can do to improve your child's chance of future health and success: make sure he spends plenty of time playing outside.

There are many ways in which this generation's childhood is different from that of the last generation, but one of the most abrupt contrasts is the degree to which it is being spent indoors. There are lots of reasons, including the marked increase in time spent interacting with electronic devices, the emphasis on scheduled activities and achievements, concerns about sun exposure - and, for many families, the lack of safe outdoor places to play. It's not just children; adults are spending less time outdoors as well.

Here are six crucial ways playing outside helps children:

1. Sunshine. Yes, sun exposure - especially sunburns - can increase the risk of skin cancer. But it turns out that our bodies need sun. We need sun exposure to make vitamin D, a vitamin that plays a crucial role in many body processes, from bone development to our immune system. Sun exposure also plays a role our immune system in other ways, as well as in healthy sleep - and in our mood. Our bodies work best when they get some sunshine every day.

2. Exercise. Children should be active for an hour every day, and getting outside to play is one way to be sure that happens. They can certainly exercise indoors, but sending them outdoors - especially with something like a ball or a bike - encourages active play, which is really the best exercise for children.

3. Executive function. These are the skills that help us plan, prioritize, troubleshoot, negotiate, and multitask; they are crucial for our success. Creativity falls in here, too, and using our imagination to problem-solve and entertain ourselves. These are skills that must be learned and practiced - and to do this, children need unstructured time. They need time alone and with other children, and to be allowed (perhaps forced) to make up their own games, figure things out, and amuse themselves. Being outside gives them opportunities to practice these important life skills.

4. Taking risks. Children need to take some risks. As parents, this makes us anxious; we want our children to be safe. But if we keep them in bubbles and never let them take any risks, they won't know what they can do - and they may not have the confidence and bravery to face life's inevitable risks. Yes, you can break an arm from climbing a tree - and yes, you can be humiliated when you try to make a friend and get rejected. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try; the lessons we learn from failure are just as important as those we learn from success.

5. Socialization. Children need to learn how to work together. They need to learn to make friends, how to share and cooperate, how to treat other people. If they only interact in very structured settings, such as school or sports teams, they won't - they can't - learn everything they need to know.

6. Appreciation of nature. So much of our world is changing, and not for the better. If a child grows up never walking in the woods, digging in soil, seeing animals in their habitat, climbing a mountain, playing in a stream, or staring at the endless horizon of an ocean, they may never really understand what there is to be lost. The future of our planet depends on our children; they need to learn to appreciate it.

So try it. Do what our parents did: send your children outside. Even better, go with them. And do everything you can to be sure that every child can do the same.

Follow me on Twitter @drClaire

About the Author

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6 reasons children need to play outside - Harvard Health

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Harvard Health. 2022. 6 reasons children need to play outside - Harvard Health. [online] Available at: <https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-reasons-children-need-to-play-outside-2018052213880> [Accessed 16 March 2022].

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Grove, J., 2022. How to help children connect with nature - Active For Life. [online] Active For Life. Available at: <https://activeforlife.com/help-children-connect-with-nature/> [Accessed 16 March 2022].

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How to help children connect with nature

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How to help children connect with nature

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1. Start by going outside

2. Let them get dirty

3. Play simple games

4. Utilize books and resources

5. Our kids need this

6. Make a list, set a date

(Grove, 2022)

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We live in a world overflowing with technology. Cars talk to us, phones entertain us, houses are "smart," and wristwatches monitor our vitals. Are we living in Brave New World or 1984? Whichever we imagine, one thing is certain: our attachment to technology strains our connection with nature.

Staying connected to the natural world is important because more research is emerging every year on nature's health effects, especially in the lives of our children. According to Dr. Vicki Harber:

Children who play in nature have better grades in school, greater focus, better cognitive function, and more creativity. And when researchers compare children who play outdoors with those who play indoors, they find that the outdoor children have less stress, reduced aggression, and more happiness.

Here are six tips to help you provide your kids with the benefits of outdoor play in nature:

1. Start by going outside
One of the first places to start is getting outside into any sort of natural space close to your home-whether that's a city park, a regional nature reserve, or a full-blown provincial or national park-and taking a simpletrail walk or nature hike. Regardless of the size of the natural space, even small degrees of contact with trees, plants, animals, insects, and water courses can deliver benefits to you and your children.

2. Let them get dirtyIn the process, you need to be open to the idea that your kids might get dirty when they get into nature. In fact, if you're doing nature "right," you should probably see a little grime on their clothes and tree sap on their hands. Be sure to let them get dirty by jumping in puddles, building forts, rolling over rocks and logs to look for bugs and worms, and picking up sticks, leaves, and pinecones. All the while, their senses will be stimulated by the textures, sights, and sounds of the natural world around them.

3. Play simple games
You can also connect your children with nature byplaying games in the natural space you're exploring. You don't need any equipment or expertise to play games such as follow the leader, I spy, hide-and-go-seek, and pick up sticks. However, if you are more ambitious and ready to do a little preparation in advance, you might even want to organize a scavenger hunt or try geocaching.

4. Utilize books and resources
If you want to take a deep dive into all of the imaginative ways to get your kids interacting with nature, there are plenty of great books and online resources available. Check out Angela J. Hanscom's bestselling bookBalanced and Barefoot and Richard Louv's Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life for great activities and tips. You can also consider starting a nature club using online resources from the Children and Nature Network.

5. Our kids need this
Between hours sitting in school or being engrossed in screen devices, and societal concerns over supervision and safety, today's kids are increasingly less likely to get into nature and experience the important benefits for their health and well-being. As Richard Louv established with his book Last Child in the Woods, nature-deficit disorder has become a significant threat to our children, and this is why we need to take an active role in getting our kids into outdoor spaces.

6. Make a list, set a date
Start by making a list of the natural spaces available nearby. Do you have a city park within walking distance of your home? Is there a regional or provincial park with hiking trails that you can easily reach by bike, car, or public transit? Once you have created a simple inventory of the natural spaces available to you, look at your calendar and see if you can schedule some regular outings with your children into the outdoors.

Related read: How your child's screen time really stacks up against outdoor play
Don't sweat the details too much. Being in nature is not about planning much or organizing too many (if any) structured activities. Most importantly, it's about encouraging your kids to get outside to explore and experience the unpredictable magic of dirt, dust, wind, water, leaves, and trees.

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How to help children connect with nature - Active For Life

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We live in a world overflowing with technology. Cars talk to us, phones entertain us, houses are "smart," and wristwatches monitor our vitals. Are we living in Brave New World or 1984? Whichever we imagine, one thing is certain: our attachment to technology strains our connection with nature.

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sitters. 2022. - The 15 Best Activities for Children to Learn Through Play. [online] Available at: <https://www.sitters.co.uk/blog/the-15-best-activities-for-children-to-help-them-learn-through-play.aspx> [Accessed 16 March 2022].

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The 15 Best Activities for Children to Help Them Learn Through Play

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The 15 Best Activities for Children to Help Them Learn Through Play

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1. Sand
2. Water Play
3. Play Dough
4. Dress-Up and Role Play
5. Doll and Character Play
6. Drawing and Painting
7. Blocks, Jigsaws, and Shape Sorters
8. Music, Dancing, and Singing
9. Imaginative Play
10. Running, Jumping, Climbing, Swinging
11. Nature Play
12. Sensory Play
13. Basic Board Games
14. Cooking and Pretend-Cooking
15. The Cardboard Box
(Sitters, 2022)

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Play is one of the most important ways in which children learn. It underpins formal learning later in childhood, but also enables the individual child to develop their self-worth.

In fact the right to play is deemed so fundamental to children's wellbeing, that it is enshrined by the UN as a universal children's right.

It strengthens powers of concentration, essential for a successful future in the classroom, and underpins everything from learning social interactions and norms, to the beginnings of scientific thinking.

Play is particularly important for the younger child. Preschool children, and those in Reception, learn through the EYFS National Curriculum, which is inherently play-based. It is the foundation of childhood development in terms of language, emotional intelligence and regulation, creativity, and intellectual reasoning.

According to the book 'Einstein Never Used Flash Cards' by Golinkoff, Hirsh-Pasek, and Eyer, play can be broken down in to five core elements:

* Be fun and enjoyable
* Have no set goals
* Be spontaneous and voluntary
* Involve active engagement
* Involve an element of make-believe

Here, we explore our top 15 activities for helping children learn through play:

1. Sand

Sand play is a fantastic opportunity for the foundations of scientific learning, and developing self-confidence and physical development. Scooping, digging, pouring and sifting teaches children how things work, whilst also building their muscles and coordination. Done alongside a little pal, and it becomes about teamwork, sharing, and social skills.

2. Water Play

Similar to sand play, water play enables children to experiment in a safe environment with basic concepts such as volume. Additionally, water play is great for learning consequences of actions. Add in some hand-eye coordination and physical strength, and water play is a firm favourite.

3. Play Dough

Play dough has immense potential for learning. Not only does it strengthen fingers in preparation for a lifetime of writing, it teaches fine motor skills, creativity and hand-eye coordination. Add some beads to the dough for a fine-motor exercise, or get the kids threading beads on to lengths of dried spaghetti held in the dough, for extra play-value.

We believe your little ones deserve the very best care. That's why our local network of babysitters are personally checked and picked by our family for your family www.sitters.co.uk.

4. Dress-Up and Role Play

Let the children loose with a bunch of dressing-up clothes and props such as toy doctor's kits, and let their imaginations run wild. Soon you'll discover the budding doctor, vet, nurse, astronaut, chef or thespian. Dressing-up helps children to begin to make sense of the adult world, roles, and interests, as well as boosting social interaction. Not least, dressing-up helps to reinforce the self-care aspects of self-dressing which is essential for primary school life.

5. Doll and Character Play

Providing characters in the form of mini-figures and dolls allows both girls and boys to develop their social play. It encourages imagination and the expression (and labelling) of feelings.

6. Drawing and Painting

Letting children run wild with paints and drawing tools allows them to experience their world in a sensory way and develop self-expression, whilst also developing pre-writing skills. Furthermore, it's an invitation to learn about colours, mixing and good-old tidying up!

We believe your little ones deserve the very best care. That's why our local network of babysitters are personally checked and picked by our family for your family www.sitters.co.uk.

7. Blocks, Jigsaws, and Shape Sorters

Playing with blocks, jigsaws, and shape sorters all lay the foundations of spatial thinking, logical reasoning, ordering, and recognising various shapes, sizes, and colours.

8. Music, Dancing, and Singing

Singing and music hugely help to develop language and form the basis of literacy skills, as well as basic mathematical concepts such as counting. Furthermore, they begin to develop rhythm, whilst also refining their listening skills. Dancing helps the child develop strength and flexibility, not to mention coordination.

9. Imaginative Play

All play should be imaginative, but we're referring to the type of play that comes naturally to many children. Leave a small child with nothing but a random selection of objects and you'll soon find them lost in a world of make-believe. Giving a child time and space for imaginative play is essential. It develops their imagination, which is important for literacy skills and intellectual reasoning. Additionally, it increases their sense of self, and self-esteem, as well as making sense of the world around them, as well as the ability to handle boredom.

We believe your little ones deserve the very best care. That's why our local network of babysitters are personally checked and picked by our family for your family www.sitters.co.uk.

10. Running, Jumping, Climbing, Swinging

Young children have a compulsion to move. Allowing them to do so, and providing safe and age-appropriate challenges, allows them to increase their confidence as well as develop their resilience through risk-taking. Of course, gross motor skills also receive a mighty boost.

11. Nature Play

Children's learning is fuelled with rocket-fuel when you take the play space out in to the great outdoors. That's why Forest Schools are so popular and highly regarded. Not only is it healthy, it teaches a respect for the environment, and the beginnings of biology. It also helps children to become more independent and inquisitive.

12. Sensory Play

In a nutshell, sensory play is any play activity which involves touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing. This can be provided with a plate of jelly, aqua beads, ice, rice, or even small world tubs. Sensory play stimulates exploration and the building blocks of science and investigation.

We believe your little ones deserve the very best care. That's why our local network of babysitters are personally checked and picked by our family for your family www.sitters.co.uk.

13. Basic Board Games

There are so many board games available for even the youngest players, and these should be embraced - not only for their fun factor, but for their learning potential. In addition to the themes of numbers, colours, shapes, and early phonics, these games are vital for teaching children turn-taking and sharing.

14. Cooking and Pretend-Cooking

Cooking, and pretend cooking, serving, and shops, are great play scenarios for kids. Cooking itself combines elements of sensory play, mathematical concepts, home safety, and following processes. Pretend cooking, serving, and toy shops also teach basic mathematical ideas as well as social interaction, and how to be thoughtful to others.

15. The Cardboard Box

Yes really! The humble cardboard box is one of the most incredible invitations to play. Will it be a house, a car, a home for their cuddlies? Provide them with scraps of fabric, cushions, pencils and paper plates and watch them explore their world, enter their imagination, and begin thinking like an engineer.

We believe your little ones deserve the very best care. That's why our local network of babysitters are personally checked and picked by our family for your family www.sitters.co.uk.

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the 15 best activities for children to learn through play

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Sitters.co.uk - The 15 Best Activities for Children to Learn Through Play

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Play is one of the most important ways in which children learn. It underpins formal learning later in childhood, but also enables the individual child to develop their self-worth. In fact the right to play is deemed so fundamental to children's wellbeing, that it is enshrined by the UN as a universal children's right.

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If you are interested in the further research, please do not hesitate to contact the researcher: m.wang2-21@student.lboro.ac.uk

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I'm not sure. We're good at getting outside. Though perhaps because television is more accessible due to online 'on demand' TV its often easier to put the TV on than to get outside.

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All of these articles seem spot on. We're not bothered by the risks of outdoor play though. It's part of life and a helpful learning experience.

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I understand the concern to protect children from unqualified supervisor's but I don't think that affects our attitude to taking our children outdoors. We've grown up playing outside, we know a lot about the natural world and generally see the countryside as a safer place than an urban environment.

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Children are pretty good at finding ways to play wherever they are. Encouraging imaginative engagement with nature is just part of life. I don't really have any concerns, since I don't intend on taking my children to especially dangerous spots (at least before they're old enough to understand the risks), e.g. very deep bodies of water, and sheer drops.

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Yeah they spend less time the reason of it I think is because I grow up in a village with mmuch more open space then where my child it’s growing upd

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I think spending time in nature for kids ne also for adults it’s a very good thing to do 

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I think spending time in nature for kids ne also for adults it’s a very good thing to do 

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I probably didn’t first reason it’s the covid which didn’t let us go much outside in last 2 years and second the job which keeps us busy and away from our childrens

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I probably didn’t first reason it’s the covid which didn’t let us go much outside in last 2 years and second the job which keeps us busy and away from our childrens

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I have no concerns expect cold days for her to go and play out

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Probably hiking walking on the beaches, swimming, drawing, painting etc

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They do generally spend less time outdoors than when we were growing up. There’s a lot more structured activities now, and the internet and gaming is very fast paced, appealing and exciting!

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When my children were younger we spent lots of time outside. But as they have got older they have spent more time with their friends. And I have spent more time working so have forgotten to encourage and facilitate outdoor activities.

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It’s hard to say as I can’t remember being 3 years old. I do know we didn’t have much TV or tablets etc back then so I guess play was indoor or outdoor (weather permitting) with regular toys!

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Kids love mud and learning about the natural environment, collecting things like flowers and sticks! Fresh air is good for everyone too and you can also get off those bloody screens!

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We have local parks very close by. I don’t get much time to go other than weekends, but mummy and relatives take the young one more regularly after playgroup. Barriers: time, weather, busyness, other chores or plans etc.

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Safety but not hugely. Accidents happen. One of the key things is to ensure turn taking on play equipment and always having an eye on them if they are being more independent.

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Beach is great. They love sand, shells and the sea, kite flying maybe and building sand castles. Creation (and mostly destruction) is the aim of their game.

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Yes, because i grew up in a completely different country to my child and there was not as much digital influence 

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Yes, because i grew up in a completely different country to my child and there was not as much digital influence 

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Yes because being in nature is a relaxing feeling, it is an environment which releases my stress and it helps my child let loose and run around to play

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Yes because being in nature is a relaxing feeling, it is an environment which releases my stress and it helps my child let loose and run around to play

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I feel like my child has sufficient outdoor opportunities, she plays a lot in the home garden, she also plays outside everyday at school, and on holidays we visit natural sites 

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I feel like my child has sufficient outdoor opportunities, she plays a lot in the home garden, she also plays outside everyday at school, and on holidays we visit natural sites 

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I just want my child to be safe in all areas of her play time

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I just want my child to be safe in all areas of her play time

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My child loves flower picking, and she also loves the beach building sandcastles and picking sea shells, she loves animals too so the zoo and aquarium is another destination 

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My child loves flower picking, and she also loves the beach building sandcastles and picking sea shells, she loves animals too so the zoo and aquarium is another destination 