Embrace the risk: Why Risky Play is a good idea

Risky play: Children moving at a fast speed on a garden swing, controlled by a child who is standing on the swing.

“Risky play can be defined as a thrilling and exciting activity, that involves a risk of physical injury, and play that provides opportunities for challenge, testing limits, exploring boundaries and learning about risk”

~ Sandseter 2007

We have heard that play is vital for children’s development. Across all cultures, free play is the natural dominant activity in children’s daily life. Since free play is intrinsically self-motivated without adults’ instruction and has no goal-directed structure, the presence of risk would inherently appear. However, how many times do we hear in places where adults would be yelling and screaming over a child’s possibility of a scrape or a bruise during playtime? In the name of safety, there are many activities that have been shunned and banned in schools and even homes. ‘No running’, ‘no jumping’, ‘no climbing’, ‘no touching’, ‘no digging soil’ and the list could go on. Some rules may even appear restrictive as the child ends up not being able to move and to sit still throughout the day.

The Power of Risky Play:

How can a child learn when we take away their learning moments and self-discoveries? How can we allow them to feel safe in their own body and understand boundaries when all we do is restrict all opportunities for them to do so? Why do we stop our children from such encounters? The answer to this is often - fear. Not fear from the children, but fear from the adults. Youngsters scaling trees do not feel the same anxiety that adults do when adults observe the children—that "something might happen." This anxiety of "what if" can sometimes take the form of a worry that a possible event might come through. It is so important for children to take risks – because if they don’t, how else can they learn to manage risk or make decisions about it, which ultimately prevents them from being able to accept responsibility for their choices.

According to Dr Peter Gray, author of Free to Learn, risky play is “the joy of freedom with just the right amount of fear”. Risky play does not mean throwing your child into a lion's den or sending them off on a solo expedition to Mount Everest. Risky play refers to those thrilling and exciting physical activities that involve a bit of uncertainty and a potential risk of injury. Think tree climbing, jumping from heights, or balancing on uneven surfaces. These activities not only get the adrenaline pumping but also have some incredible benefits for our little adventurers.

While it is crucial to keep kids safe in the environments we create for them, we also need to understand the distinctions between risks and "hazards" and avoid confusing the two. A hazard is anything that a child cannot see and is typically dangerous. In Forest School, it is our responsibility as practitioners to recognise danger to children, discuss the possible dangers and eliminate them. On the other hand, a risk is an opportunity for a youngster to see a challenge and make the decision to accept it or not. It occurs when a youngster tests their own limits and gains knowledge from first-hand encounters. Eliminating risks may cause our young to become incapable of recognising danger.

How does risky play influence a child’s physical growth?

First up, let's talk about those little muscles and bones. Hannaford (2005) mentioned “Learning, thought, creativity and intelligence are not processes of the brain alone, but of the whole body.” Engaging in risky play helps children increase their physical strength and motor competence. When they climb trees or balance on wobbly surfaces, their bodies get a workout, receiving both proprioception and vestibular input that improves their balance, coordination, and spatial orientation. It's like a gym session, except that it’s based on a child’s intrinsic motivation and readiness! Plus, by exploring their boundaries and testing their limits, children develop body awareness and become less prone to accidents as stated by Hanscom (2016). Our young are pushing their own limits, testing themselves, and taking chances. They are taking a risk by "nearly" falling off the climbing frame, which adds enjoyment to their play. This “nearly” part helps them decide how far they can go the next time. It is a fascinating stage in their development as they start to comprehend risk management on their own. Once the body has met its needs for movement, the body system is then deemed as safe and ready for learning. This brings us to the next portion of the many benefits.

Risky play improves a child’s thinking skills

Who knew that taking risks could make our little ones smarter? Children who participate in somewhat risky activities are faced with obstacles that call for problem-solving abilities. They gain the ability to evaluate risks, think critically, and develop innovative solutions. Whether it's figuring out how to conquer a tree or navigate a challenging obstacle course, risky play stimulates their creativity, imagination, and improves their focus and attention span. This also activates neural pathways and connections promoting cognitive flexibility, adaptability, strengthening memory consolidation and retrieval processes. When done repeatedly, these neural pathways can be further strengthened, solidifying the learning process. Sounds like a mental workout to me, but with a side of adventure!

Children learn to manage their emotions through risky play

Now, here's where things get interesting. Risky play actually helps our children build emotional resilience. When they face setbacks, disappointments, or even minor injuries, they learn that these are natural parts of life. By navigating through a range of emotions during risky play, they develop courage, self-confidence, and a sense of success. It's like a crash course in emotional fortitude! Plus, risky play provides a platform for children to express their emotions and develop healthy outlets for their well-being.

Did you know that denying kids enough opportunities for age-appropriate, risky play can raise their risk of neuroticism or psychopathology? Yes, you read that right. Sandseter's 2011 study provided insight into this significant discovery. It highlights how important it is to provide kids with chances to engage in risky and difficult activities. Risky play not only helps them grow emotionally, but it also mitigates some of the bad repercussions that can arise from a lack of such experiences. Thus, let us ensure that our children have the opportunity to explore and take chances in a secure setting. After all, a little bit of adventure can go a long way in shaping their emotional well-being! So, let them face their fears and conquer the world, one risky play at a time!

Social skills can be nurtured through risky play

Last but not least, risky play is a fantastic opportunity for our little adventurers to engage in collaboration and cooperation with their peers. Furthermore, efficient communication (verbal and non-verbal) becomes even more crucial. Take rough and tumble play, for example. Not only do these youngsters acquire social skills, but they also learn how to regulate their anger and aggression. It's all about keeping the play enjoyable and ensuring that big emotions don't harm their playmates. Through taking turns, sharing resources, and compromising, children learn valuable lessons in empathy and understanding. The interesting thing is that through playing diverse roles and considering different viewpoints, they are able to build the superpower of empathy and meaningful connections with their peers. Thus, let's encourage our little explorers to play and watch them develop into social superheroes!

So, there you have it, folks! Embracing risky play can be a game-changer for our children's development. It's not about throwing caution to the wind, but rather about giving them the freedom to explore, learn, and grow in a safe yet thrilling environment. They don't need constant guidance or prompts from adults. They become self-reliant explorers, ready to conquer the world! By challenging our biases and understanding the benefits of risky play, we can provide our little adventurers with valuable opportunities and priceless chances to acquire critical life skills. It lays a strong basis for their success in the future. Let's embrace the journey and allow our children to take chances. So, let's loosen the reins a bit, let them climb those trees, jump from heights, and balance on wobbly surfaces. After all, a little bit of risk never hurts anyone, right?

Written by: Maira

Edited by: Aminah  

References:

Gray, P. (2013). Free To Learn: Why Unleashing The Instinct To Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-reliant, And Better Students For Life. Basic Books/Hachette Book Group.

Hannaford, C. (1995). Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All In Your Head. Arlington, Va., Great Ocean Publishers.

Hanscom, A. (2016). Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, New Harbinger Publications.

Sandseter, E. B. H., Kleppe, R., & Sando, O. J. (2021). The prevalence of risky play in young children’s indoor and outdoor free play. Early Childhood Education Journal, 49(2), 303–312. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01074-0