Welcome to rethinking childhood: a website that introduces the work of Tim Gill. Tim is one of the UK's leading thinkers on childhood and an effective advocate for change. His work focuses on children's play and free time.
Tim argues that children and young people have the potential to be more resilient, capable, creative and able to learn than we give them credit for. Yet children’s lives are becoming ever more scheduled, controlled and directed. Tim believes that if children are to enjoy and make the most of their lives, we need to revisit and revise our ideas of what a good childhood looks and feels like.
Tim’s book No Fear: Growing up in a risk averse society was published in 2007. His journalism has been widely published, and he has also been published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Tim has carried out major projects for the Forestry Commission, Mayor of London, National Children’s Bureau and Play England, amongst other agencies, and has advised political parties and think tanks across the political spectrum. Tim is in demand as a public speaker and has given talks and run workshops across the UK and in mainland Europe, the USA, Australasia and Japan. He appears regularly in the media. Read more about Tim
Latest news
New publication on outdoor activities
The English Outdoor Council has launched a publication written by Tim on outdoor activities. Entitled Nothing Ventured... Balancing risks and benefits in the outdoors, the document aims to dispel the myths about outdoor safety, reassure teachers and promote a common-sense approach. More news
Tim’s book No Fear: Growing up in a risk averse society was published in 2007. His journalism has been widely published, and he has also been published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Tim has carried out major projects for the Forestry Commission, Mayor of London, National Children’s Bureau and Play England, amongst other agencies, and has advised political parties and think tanks across the political spectrum. Tim is in demand as a public speaker and has given talks and run workshops across the UK and in mainland Europe, the USA, Australasia and Japan. He appears regularly in the media. Read more about Tim
Latest news
New publication on outdoor activities
The English Outdoor Council has launched a publication written by Tim on outdoor activities. Entitled Nothing Ventured... Balancing risks and benefits in the outdoors, the document aims to dispel the myths about outdoor safety, reassure teachers and promote a common-sense approach. More news