Children frequently wish for more space.

The sense of being “cabinned and confined” is one that seeks an outlet.

What places look like and what can be done with them are very important.

A big garden can represent safety in a world presented to children as full of risk. But space also stands for the freedom to explore.

“I would most like to have a bedroom of my own.”

Oliver, 10

“I’d be able to write more things and I’d be able to have my room as I want. And I’d be able to have a bed of my own because it’s kind of attached to my sister’s bed.”

Lara, 7

The ideal for children is a large garden, bordering on parkland

“They’ve got quite nice gardens and they’re quite big and they’ve got nice flowers and that. And there’s lots of trees to climb and you have lots of fun there.”

Ben, 7

And finally, how one boy imagines America

“They’ve got an enormous field that you can’t probably see the end of and much bigger playgrounds.”

Matthew, 7

Names have been changed. Cedric Cullingford is professor of education at Huddersfield university