Post 2: Whose play space is it anyways?
Hi everyone,
Please indulge me a bit...I'm fresh off a conference so children's rights are very much at the forefront of my thinking right now. I'm wondering what everyone thinks about 'children's rights', specifically The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as the most widely ratified human rights treaty (representing a strong signal of the commitment of states to protect and promote the rights of every child, without discrimination). I'm curious if this rights discussion has informed the outdoor play space - how it is constructed, the 'rules' implemented,
or the opportunities provided. How are children's agency, voice, inclusion, and/or diversity represented/reflected within the outdoor space? I'm really excited to hear your thoughts. Thanks for sharing!
Anyone have thoughts about the rights question? I'm here in Australia and rights seem to be very much at the forefront of planning for children. I'm really interested in knowing what others think.
ReplyDeleteI try to hear children's perspectives as much as possible and negotiate or compromise with allowing risky play that is safe enough but also enjoyable for children. I like to ask children how certain activities make them feel, or if they feel safe. For example, I allow children to go headfirst down slides or climb up slides if they want to, but they know to check for other children at the top or bottom before they do. This is also a great way for them to learn to take turns and watch out for their peers!
ReplyDelete