Tiny humans’ outdoors

Understanding the Factors That Mediate Opportunities for Babies and Toddlers

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6418641
AutoresNicola Kemp (0000-0002-0244-9851, Canterbury Christ Church University, autor de correspondencia), Jo Josephidou (0000-0001-9572-1158, The Open University), Polly Bolshaw (0000-0002-6416-1757, Canterbury Christ Church University)
Año2025
Volumen23
Número2
Páginas219-236
Fecha de publicación2025-03-04
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaChildren s Geographies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1473-3277 • E-ISSN: 1473-3285
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14733285.2025.2479683
OpenAlexW4408493754
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas59

This paper contributes new knowledge and understanding to an area of international interest in research, policy and practice about the marginalisation of babies and toddlers through its novel outdoor focus. Drawing on a qualitative systematic literature review and adopting a ‘spatialities’ lens, it explores the factors that mediate the experiences of ‘tiny humans’ outdoors. It finds that since their access to, and interactions within, outdoor spaces are dependent upon adults both directly and indirectly, bwho/b these adults are (social characteristics) and bhow/b they are (cultural values and practices), are critical mediating factors. The outdoors emerges as a socially stratified space in which socio-economic status, class, ethnicity, and (dis)ability intersect in ways that can include or marginalise even from before birth. It is also a cultural space in which values are expressed, transmitted and reproduced through care practices which may (or not) foster a sense of social and spatial inclusion. Finally, the outdoors is a political space in which power relations play out. We argue that, given the rise in babies and toddlers attending ECEC settings globally, these may offer potential sites for developing counter-hegemonic practices that challenge the marginalisation of tiny humans and those that care for them

Environmental health · Internet privacy · Children's Rights and Participation · Computer Science · Early Childhood Education and Development · Medicine · Outdoor and Experiential Education · Psychology