Early Childhood

The Playtime Matters Report

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The Playtime Matters report brings together both previous research and new findings that make the case for playtimes being a key part of the school day. It shows that outdoor play at school helps develop healthy, curious and active kids who are better connected to their environment. It brings together evidence that shows that time outdoors is particularly important for children’s mental health – reducing stress, giving a sense of calm and simply making them happier.

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Teaching traditional indoor school lessons in nature: The effects on student learning and behaviour

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Abstract The natural environment is associated with better behaviour and academic performance in children. However, research to date has been cross-sectional and it is important for experimental studies to investigate if a causal relationship exists. Further, participant samples from areas characterised as disadvantaged are underrepresented in the research. This study investigates the effect that lessons

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Landscapes for play: Effects of an intervention to promote nature-based risky play in early childhood centres

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The outdoor space at childcare centres can be many preschoolers’ primary experience of outdoor play. Trends prioritizing risk reduction have diminished access to nature and risky play. We examined the effects of an intervention to increase opportunities for nature and risky play in the outdoor play environments of two childcare centres using a repeated measures mixed methods design.

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A 30-Year Journey of Monitoring Fitness and Skill Outcomes in Physical Education: Lessons Learned and a Focus on the Future

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The aims of this paper are to provide normative data for primary school-age children from various regions in Australia, to identify secular trends in the data over three decades, to focus on results for selected schools that have adopted varied levels of commitment to the physical education program and finally, to demonstrate a way forward to improve the fitness and skill levels of children.

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