{"id":1178,"date":"2015-09-26T02:11:47","date_gmt":"2015-09-26T09:11:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/?p=1178"},"modified":"2015-09-27T15:19:02","modified_gmt":"2015-09-27T22:19:02","slug":"australia-and-nature-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/featured\/australia-and-nature-play\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia’s Approach to Nature Play"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Outdoor<\/p>\n

Nature Play QLD of Queensland, Australia, has a\u00a0vision of \u00a0unstructured outdoor play becoming a normal part of every child’s life, so that they can develop into resilient, healthy and creative members of the community. \u00a0That vision embodies a lot of research on the topic that applies in many countries and seems to be using the same principles outlined in the Nature Play publication<\/a> from the\u00a0Pennsylvania Land Trust Association that I\u00a0discussed in an earlier post<\/a>. \u00a0Nature Play QLD is fully funded by the\u00a0Queensland Government, through the Department of National\u00a0Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing.<\/p>\n

Nature Play QLD’s\u00a0Approach<\/h1>\n

Their initial approach toward their vision includes the following seven steps:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Increase awareness of the benefits of nature\u00a0play<\/li>\n
  2. Increase opportunities for families to participate in nature play<\/li>\n
  3. Create and promote resources that make participation easy<\/li>\n
  4. Establish a communications network among their partners and families<\/li>\n
  5. Advocate for nature play with the government and other groups that work with children<\/li>\n
  6. Develop their organizational capacity<\/li>\n
  7. Become financially independent of the government within three years.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    They already have a great start with their video:<\/p>\n

    \n

    https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?t=120&v=nKkMTmAjQAM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Passport to an Amazing Childhood<\/h1>\n

    As mentioned in the video they have a passport system. \u00a0The passport lists many outdoor activities that kids can check off as they complete them. \u00a0It includes things like climbing a tree, skipping rocks on the water and going camping. \u00a0It is generally aimed at kids ages 3 to 12. \u00a0There are currently around 100,000 passport holders.<\/p>\n

    License to Play (Outdoors)<\/h1>\n

    Supporting the passport idea is their License to Play (Outdoors)<\/em> publication that helps parents help their kids\u00a0by teaching parents how to work with their kids:\"Climb<\/p>\n