Programme and abstracts - GIH

Abstract:Children's (lack of) experience within nature is a field getting increased attention amongresearchers in Western Societies. Several studies suggest that children in natural environmentdevelop more creative forms of play in natural surroundings than in built spaces, while othersemphasize the role of risky play as the driving forces in children's outdoor play. Inspired bytheories of Bildung (dannelse) an alternative approach appears, emphasizing the significanceof curiosity as the driving force in children's play. Inspired by recent work of Peter Becker, thispaper will discuss and seek to further develop the implications of dannelse by linking thisperspective with an ego-anthropological approach, that interpret children’s lived playexperienceas a dwelling in the world. This play within the natural elements is recognized as asensuous exploration of their embodied abilities, and qualities of the physical, social andcultural surroundings in which they are a part of – in ways that appear to be unknown, excitingand meaningful for the children (Sanderud & Gurholt, subm). Towards this theoreticalframework, the presentation intends to explore a design to research the significance of urbanoutdoor areas such as parks, school yards and kindergartens in children's upbringing.Title:Outdoor Education- alternative way to integrate excluded youthAuthor/s:Jari Kujala, Department of Social Service and Health Care, Finland.Abstract:Alternative method of Outdoor Education in the context of City Social and child protectionwork is not mainstream on the work done with youth at risk - but it works. Malmigroup hasworked for fifteen years in the North of Helsinki, Finland to prevent these risk groups (age11 - 17 years) to drop out from society. Aim of this presentation is to study the differencesbetween city- and nature spaces we call in Finish tradition elo (by the house activities)and erä (wildernes activites). The methods of work between spaces of urban nature andwilderness are explored through social work cases during our work history.The presentation consist of four different approaches. 1. The motivation 2. TheExpectations 3. Participation and 4. The evaluation1. The motivation is on the meanings of socio-spatial context of relationships andtopography. From suburbans to open spaces. From attachment to strangeness.Internal and external motivations can be seen from the perspective of developingidentities and these can be practiced in adventurous settings.2. The expectations are about the subjectivity and empowerment, resources andrecognizing of the needs. The main questions of these are: How socially excluded aresubjects and in witch contexts? How do they perceive and see the things? To find outthis we need to know about their individual history and the disqualified knowledge.3. The social participation is of the use of elemental nature and the naturalenvironment. People act differently in different settings. The place and the timeconcepts are essential parts of hermeneutics. This defines the frames ofcommunication and participation.4. The evaluation is about the effects of the work done. It deals with the, motivations asindividual risk factors, expectations as societal goals and participation as resilience ofa local community. It puts together the suburbans youth criminality rates and individualskills of learning. The emphasis is on ecological framework on systems of influence.24