Active Boundaries: children in the Early Years (and of all ages) have an endless fascination with exploring boundaries; given the opportunity they will actively cross over, under or through them.
Both inviting and challenging, squeezes and gaps require children to bend, crawl and squirm to travel under or through.
Crawling, scrambling and similar movements support bilateral physical development. Physical effort and persistence are needed to push through or scrabble under obstacles, elevating heart rates and fostering resilience, all in the fresh air of the outdoors.
In his 1986 study ‘Childhood’s Domain’, Moore (2018) recorded children’s interest in ‘squeezing through’ places, where children pointed out small gaps and secret ways as landmarks important to them.
It's essential to build any squeezes out of robust and durable materials such as wood, metal or stone. Children will exert pressure on the sides of a squeeze as they push through so it is imperative that they are constructed well.
Squeezes that are navigated in an upright position.
These permeable boundaries demand effort and strategic thinking to pass through. Adjusting your body angle may be necessary, turning and shuffling sideways, removing bulky clothes, even breathing in, are all strategies that may be required to pass through a tight squeeze.
The squeeze creates a moment of enclosure, pushing against resistance until emerging into a new space. There maybe a sense of risk of potentially becoming stuck, but with determination and effort you pop out! A very different sensation to just walking through a gap.
Upright squeezes may already exist in your setting, between a fence and a building for example. Alternatively, you can create them by moving equipment so that its close to another piece of equipment or a wall, or placing hardy plants or planters side by side.
A low squeeze demands challenging movements like squirming, scrabbling, wiggling and rocking. They can be designed to be intentionally tricky to navigate, perhaps requiring peer support for some children to achieve. Low squeezes can be fashioned by digging a scrape under a fence or using sleepers on bricks.
When used frequently, the grass or surface under a low squeeze may become worn. To prevent mud exposure, ensure good drainage and consider placing protective membrane down. This could be covered in small-sized gravel.
Gaps are wider than squeezes, requiring much less physical effort to pass through. While you may feel the sides of a gap, lifting or twisting your body is not usually as necessary. Walking through a low gap may involve a slight bob down, making it easily accessible for all children.
in the Muddy Faces shop.
A resource with an engaging challenge for young children, suitable to be left out in your nursery or school's outdoor space. Our panels can also be used for loose parts provision. This set contains two fence panels which can be easily moved ...
The Active Boundaries range has a variety of areas with diverse play offers is essential for providing a rich and stimulating outdoor environment. Employing Active Boundaries can help develop the special nature of each of these play spaces whilst encouraging children ...
Active Boundaries
Children in the Early Years (and of all ages) have an endless fascination with exploring boundaries; given the opportunity they will consistently cross over, under or through them.
The world is full of boundaries and edges, not only physical but also social, all of which need to be identified, explored and played with to be understood.
Join us going Over, Under & Through (OUT) our Active Boundaries.
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Gates & doorways
Active Boundaries: children in the Early Years (and of all ages) have an endless fascination with exploring boundaries; given the opportunity they will actively cross over, under or through them.
The allure of gates for children is undeniable; the simple act of passing through them, with their dynamic possibilities of swinging, opening, closing and securing can be a captivating experience.
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Bridges & stiles
Active Boundaries: children in the Early Years (and of all ages) have an endless fascination with exploring boundaries; given the opportunity they will actively cross over, under or through them.
Bridges & stiles appeal to children’s innate urge to climb and elevate themselves off the ground even when it is a challenge, perhaps because it is a challenge. Vertical exploration needs coordination, balance, strength & bravery. It can take repeated attempts and determination to master the skills needed to scale an obstacle.
Read More about Bridges & stiles