Educational Media Reviews Online

The feature length documentary film juxtaposes the nature-centered life and educational style typical of Scandinavian countries with the more quantitative and testing-based style of education that predominates in the United States. The central questions raised relate to the benefits and detriments of these two systems respectively. Filmed in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the United States, NaturePlay combines testimonials/interviews from educators, parents, “recess activists,” and other experts, with beautiful cinematic imagery of children at play in various natural environments and school settings.

As the title and subtitle imply, the filmmakers have a strong bias in favor of providing school children with time to explore and play in natural outdoor settings. They clearly intend to persuade and educate viewers about the benefits of allowing children these experiences on a daily or similarly regular basis. An objective study of different educational or parenting styles is not presented and viewers will not learn about the pros and cons of different learning styles in any overt manner; instead they will be advised of the benefits of allowing children to engage in experiential learning, play freely, and explore the natural world as part of the school day, and also of the detriments of quantifying learning through excessive classroom lessons and testing, especially when these methods are employed at the expense of outdoor recess and experiential learning time.

The film incorporates supporting quotes from well-known educators and nature advocates throughout, as well as contemporary footage of actor Matt Damon speaking against standardized testing at a rally. Viewers will gain an understanding of the greater value of recess in other cultures, the reasons why people “opt out” of exams in the United States, and also of the benefits of including recess, along with experiential learning and lessons including outdoor exploration in the school days of children, especially young children in primary grades.

NaturePlay was originally released in 2016, and then was reedited and rereleased in 2018. The new DVD/Blue Ray includes the reedited version of the film and also a 52 minute version, which was originally made for television broadcast. It also includes a menu of chapters, which allows easy viewing of individual parts of the film. There is no objectionable content in NaturePlay and it is appropriate for children in the middle grades and up. It will be of interest primarily to those in the field of education and to parents.

Awards:

• Award of Distinction, Global Humanitarian Film Awards
• Accolade Global Film Competition, Award of Excellence