On Tuesday 14 April, the Isle of Man College of Further & Higher Education hosted an extremely successful and well received conference entitled 'Outdoor Childhood'. The conference was organised by the 2nd year Public Health degree students studying at the College and aimed to investigate perceptions and opportunities for children's outdoor play on the Isle of Man. Invited guest speakers included Dawn Henley (Department of Public Health), Kirsty Neate ( Manx National Heritage), Chris Gregory (Isle of Man Children's Centre), Tina Moore (Early Years Education, IoM College and Advisor to the Department of Education) and 2nd year Public Health degree student, Jennifer Quaggan.
Topics covered many aspects of the importance of outdoor play for children including building community relations, cognitive processing, physical and mental well-being and creating resilience, presentations also included on-island research undertaken by the students themselves, looking at the patterns of play for island children.
The event was opened by the College's Principal, Geoff Draper, and over 60 guests attended throughout the day, including Treasury Minister, Hon. Eddie Teare, and Chief Executive of Isle of Man Children's Centre, Fiona Dawson, along with parents and professionals from all areas of education and childcare provision on the island. Delegates left with some really interesting food for thought and innovative ideas for future provision in outdoor play.
It is planned that the conference will become an annual event covering a variety of contemporary health issues affecting the Isle of Man.
