Exploring the ‘Forest’ and outdoor experience in different cultural contexts: towards a shared understanding

Collaborative research: Bath Spa University with SUNY Geneseo

This is an IfE funded research project exploring practitioner perspectives, benefits of outdoor experiences and the ways in which children use outdoor spaces. The project takes a multiple case study approach, drawing on observational and interview data from settings in England, Denmark and the USA, with our GALA partner Leigh O’Brien at SUNY Geneseo.

Lone Hattingh and Sara Layen are working on the project within the IfE at Bath Spa University, drawing on data gathered in outdoor kindergarten settings in England and Denmark, whilst Leigh is writing the report from the USA. There are three individual case studies which are undertaken independently of each other. These will be drawn together in a final report with completion in Spring 2019.

Leigh and Lone meet from time to time via skype, and will present their reports at the RECE conference in Copenhagen in October this year. For this Lone will be exploring children’s right to play outdoors, whilst Leigh is exploring on issues of equality and accessibility.

Photo credit: <a href=”http://www.photoeverywhere.co.uk” rel=”nofollow”>Images by PhotoEverywhere.co.uk</a>