Play England

'Bring back the freedom to roam. Children are suffering without it' - @LBC lbc.co.uk/article/freedom-to… Children across the country are missing out on opportunities for independent outdoor play, writes @DrHelenDodd Many of us have fond childhood memories of playing out until the street lights came on, enjoying our first taste of freedom. Yet today’s children are missing out on those same experiences. We know that independent outdoor play is linked to better health and wellbeing, including lower anxiety, more positive emotions and more physical activity; some of the key childhood health challenges that we currently face. Children are now nearly 11 before they start playing out on their own, exploring the world for themselves, meeting up with friends and having adventures. All of it helps build independence and resilience. In contrast, parents report that they were aged nine when they first played outdoors. There are myriad reasons for this shift away from independent outdoor play. Lack of accessible, high-quality, inviting spaces for play, the pull of indoor screen-based activities, risks posed by more cars and traffic and changes in social norms are all factors. The generational play gap revealed in our new research provides more evidence that children across the country are missing out on opportunities for independent outdoor play. The Outdoor Play Research Centre is being founded on the principle that we must do better for our children. We want to see a step change for children’s independent outdoor play. We will conduct the scientific research needed to drive this change and partner with a wide range of organisations to deliver it. news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of… #ItAllStartsWithPlay!