The Nature of Inclusive Play

Book excerpt: This book provides designers, planners, educators, and therapists with the practical information required to remove inequity in outdoor spaces, by creating inviting and inclusive solutions so that all children and their families, regardless of situation or circumstance, can experience the joys and benefits of outdoor play without stigma. It is the first of its kind, co-written by an occupational therapist and landscape architect both with proven expertise in inclusive play space design. The Nature of Inclusive Play fills an untapped niche in promoting the value of outdoor play. It focuses on what embodies play and shows how, through inclusive outdoor play design, developmental skills can be enriched. The topics covered in the book include: • a discussion of the health benefits associated with being outdoors • the history of and value of play • an overview of typical child development • the importance of sensory regulation • an inclusive design review process • design guidelines. All topics are supplemented with nine applicable case studies of inclusive outdoor play spaces with features that reflect inclusive+ principles, including examples from North America and Africa. It is a much-needed guide for landscape architects, urban planners, allied health care professionals, early childhood educators, academics, and students.