BushKinder Doug

Over the past two decades, we’ve witnessed a troubling decline in risky play among children in Australia. This Position Statement champions children’s right to engage in risky play.
Drawing upon expert knowledge from the medical, health, education, design, and safety sectors, this evidence based statement underscores how vital risky play is for children from birth to 8 years.
Congratulations to Rachel Jones, Helen Little, Sue Elliott, and Karen Tonge on producing this document. I am proud to have contributed to it.

National Risk Position Statement | Play Australia     The Risky Play Position Statement for Young Australian Children has united professionals from medical, educational, and playground design disciplines representing government and not-for-profit sectors across Australia in providing an authoritative voice to advocate for risky play in children.....

Stand back and avoid saying 'be careful!': how to help your child take risks at the park Our research shows outdoor parks offer the ideal place for children to engage in risky play. This may challenge parents who understandably wish to keep their kids ‘safe’ all the time.

Bush Kinder gets wonderful support from the Victorian Government.
Advocacy and activism work!
Thank you Ingrid Stitt MP and the DET for recognising the benefits a bush kinder program offers, and for seeking the expert advice of my colleagues and I.
Here is a $6000 grant to establish a new or enhance an existing bush kinder program.

Bush Kinder Grants Program | Victorian Government This grants program will support more kindergartens to set up nature programs, giving children more opportunity to get outdoors.