The childhood deconstruction of nature

Abstract

An analysis of a set of texts written by planners and children reveals contradictions in the conception of nature held by adults and children. The adult concept of nature, realized in traditionally panned residential and play environments, actually tends to deny the presence of nature, and conflicts with children's own conceptions of nature as a "potentiality" for play and exploration. The implicit relationship of play, thought, and nature is discussed in terms of the planning of environments forchildren.