This road has no through traffic and makes for a safer place to play on bikes. These children frequently use this space to practise their bike-riding skills.The British Children’s play Survey surmises that 75% of children’s play takes place inside their own homes and gardens. Children are less likely to engage in play unsupervised by adults and to be given the freedom of outdoor spaces in their communities.’This green space is located directly behind these girls’ back gardens.
‘These images were made in my community. Most of the streets are eerily quiet and I had to find the places where this kind of play still occurs.’These children are sharing a raft in the river. They are negotiating who stays and looks after the younger children who can’t swim.These girls set up a sweet stall during a street party. The street was closed and the children could play freely without the worry of cars.‘The health benefits associated with outdoor, and unsupervised play are numerous.
‘Most of us have memories of the games that we played as children. You will often hear the romantic recall of days gone by when children played freely in the street. This is reflected in the images made during the 20th century featuring children playing outdoors in a time before digital gaming and modern aspirations.’Liam and Calum mostly play in their front garden and the road in front of their house. Liam is lying in his hedge, where he has made a ‘nest’ because he lies there so often.
‘I’ve recently photographed kids in streets where they can play unhindered by the danger of cars and I’ve seen children of all ages playing together. What’s interesting is how they play when they’re not segregated by school year groups. The older kids naturally look after the younger ones. They do squabble, challenge each other, show off, say mean things sometimes, but what’s important is that they resolve it amongst themselves and usually end up playing happily together.
‘Making images can be complicated due to consent. The parents and children can, unsurprisingly, be deeply suspicious when a stranger rocks up with a camera. There is certainly a climate of suspicion out there, and rightly so, but this adds to the story of play and why playing children are so absent on the streets today.’
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