Nature Play Resources
Children and Nature Network
The C&NN news service and portal offers parents, youth, civic leaders, educators and health-care providers access to the latest news and research in this field as well as practical advice, including ways to apply new-found knowledge at home, at school, in work environments, and in the community. The network also engages a diverse community of institutes, organizations and industries by providing a forum for publishing and presenting research, reports and case studies on children's health and nature, and related program-development strategies and support.
The research reports provide summaries and citation details of the latest published research on children and nature.
A blog by Peter Bentsen is also hosted on this website, providing a Scandinavian perspective to outdoor playspaces.
Rethinking Childhood
Tim Gill is a leading UK expert in childhood play and is an advocate for change.
http://rethinkingchildhood.com/
Planting Trees: Just What The Doctor Ordered Research Report 2011
In May 2012, PlanetArk developed a report, sponsored by ToyotaAustralia, focusing on the benefits of interaction with nature for children's health, wellbeing and development. The report, Planting Trees: Just What The Doctor Ordered, builds on a 2011 study commissioned by PlanetArk that showed a dramatic and worrying shift in childhood activity in Australia from outdoor play to indoor activity in the space of one generation.
http://treeday.planetark.org/about/health-benefits.cfm
Natureplay: Australia Connect
Tips for families and community to engage children in nature play.
http://natureplayaustralia.ning.com
Beyond Blue to Green: The benefits of contact with nature for mental health and well-being (Deakin University/Beyond Blue April 2010)
Beyond Blue to Green: The benefits of contact with nature for mental health and well-being reviews Australian and international research, and shows there is a significant relationship between people's mental health and their local environment. Associate Professor Mardie Townsend of DeakinUniversity's Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences says there is growing evidence to indicate that having access to the natural environment improves health and well-being, as well as preventing disease and helping people to recover from illness.
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=59.1284
Natural Learning Initiative
Practical ideas on how to engage children outdoors.
http://www.naturalearning.org/greendesk
NaturePlayWA
Initiative to encourage children to be outdoors.
http://www.natureplaywa.org.au
Nature and its influence on children’s outdoor play
Kellie Dowdell, Tonia Gray, and Karen Malone
Australian Journal of Outdoor Education Volume 15, No. 2, 2011 (subscription only)
Let the Children Play
Blog run by an Early Childhood teachers with weekly ideas and updates.
http://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.com.au
Play England
Literature and reports that detail the key issues around children needing to be engaged outdoors.
Play Australia
Promotes children’s play through resources and blogs.
http://www.playaustralia.org.au
World Forum Foundation
Promotes the ongoing exchange of information for children in a diverse range of learning settings.
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp
International Play Association
Promotes the exchange of ideas to ensure protection, preservation and promotion of the child’s right to play as a fundamental human right.