{"id":5067,"date":"2023-08-30T21:21:54","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T21:21:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/?p=5067"},"modified":"2024-07-17T14:45:15","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T14:45:15","slug":"risky-play-in-early-childhood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/risky-play-in-early-childhood\/","title":{"rendered":"Risky Play & Risk Taking in Childhood – 9 Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"risky<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Risk taking is an important part of childhood. It helps with cognitive, emotional and social development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as adults we\u2019re often afraid to release control over our children\u2019s welfare in order that children can access these benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risk taking is generally associated with outdoor play-based learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the outdoors we have less control over the conditions of children\u2019s play environments. There are sharp, dangerous, tricky obstacles that children need to navigate in outdoor environments that we remove from inside spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As parents and educators, we need to start thinking about how we can encourage measured risk-taking so that we can tap into the amazing benefits of risk taking in early childhood. So, in this post I\u2019ll outline the top benefits children receive from risky play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Outdoor Play-Based Learning?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Play-based learning<\/a> has been a fundamental feature of sociocultural models of learning and teaching. Educators like Vygotsky and Reggio Emilia<\/a> believed that play helped children to develop socially and cognitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s some benefits of play:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Children can use their imagination to develop knowledge and understanding of the world;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Children learn by \u2018doing\u2019 rather than observing or being told, which can enhance understanding;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Children actively discover new things about themselves and their environments;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Children talk to one another during play, which helps language development;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Children\u2019s socialization during play can lead to enhanced social skills such as negotiation, self-expression and sharing<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Outdoor play adds that extra element of risk. Indoors we can control the environment. We can make sure the floors are soft, the doors are locked and there aren\u2019t any loose objects or sticks that have blown in with the wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s some specific<\/strong> benefits of outdoor play:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. The freedom to explore (especially with unstructured play<\/a>);<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Opportunities to make unique, authentic discoveries of new objects, bugs and landscapes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. The chance to manipulate natural objects and turn them into play tools;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. First-hand learning about weather, seasons and the natural world.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      >>> Skip To: Benefits of Risk Taking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Examples of Risky Play in Childhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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      1. Climbing Trees:<\/strong> Enables children to gauge heights, develop grip strength, and understand spatial relationships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Balancing on Logs:<\/strong> Helps children fine-tune their balance, coordination, and proprioceptive senses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Jumping from Heights:<\/strong> Allows children to assess distances and the capabilities of their bodies, building confidence in their physical abilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Play Fighting:<\/strong> Helps children understand physical boundaries, develop empathy by reading cues, and practice self-regulation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Exploring Alone:<\/strong> Venturing away from caregivers allows children to cultivate a sense of independence<\/a> and boosts their navigational skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Using Tools:<\/strong> Handling tools like hammers or scissors helps children develop fine motor skills and learn responsibility with potentially dangerous items.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      7. Building Forts:<\/strong> Gathering materials and constructing shelters promotes creativity, problem-solving, and cooperation with peers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      8. Near Water Play:<\/strong> Engaging with ponds, streams, or the seaside teaches children respect for natural elements and develops their skills in assessing the dangers and joys of water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      9. Rough Terrain Play:<\/strong> Navigating uneven grounds, hills, or rocky areas helps hone balance, coordination, and risk-assessment capabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      10. Playing with Fire:<\/strong> Under supervision, understanding and respecting the power of fire can instill a sense of responsibility and awareness of natural elements.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Dangers of Risky Play<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        But play is often considered a serious risk to children\u2019s wellbeing. Anyone with a parent knows that children have a propensity to run off and find themselves in dangerous situations in the blink of an eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        So, while we know there are cognitive and social benefits to play, sometimes we look at it as a big risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This is particularly true when play takes place outdoors in environments we find hard to control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        But there are more reasons play is considered so risky (and why we\u2019ve become so risk averse). These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        1. Bubble Wrapped Children:<\/strong> Taking risks in early childhood has been increasingly seen as a bad thing in the era of the \u2018bubble-wrapped child\u2019. We have increasingly seen our children as precious, innocent and in need of protection. I write about the bubble wrapped child syndrome in this related post on constructions of childhood<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Stranger Danger: <\/strong>In an increasingly urbanized and multicultural world, our communities are less cohesive than they once were. We live together in suburbs, but often mix in different circles. We go to different churches, schools and social events. This has led to mistrust of our neighbors who we don\u2019t know well. Instead of allowing our children out on the street to play, we coddle them and keep them inside for fear of the strangers down the street.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Media Panic: <\/strong>In a world in which media sensationalizes the worst of the world, we\u2019re exposed to stories of kidnappings, hit-and-runs and child exploitation on a daily basis. This has encouraged us to batten down the hatches and not let out children outdoors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Fear of Lawsuits:<\/strong> In an increasingly litigious world with occupational health and safety requirements here, there, and everywhere, we\u2019re just too scared that if something goes wrong, we\u2019re on the hook.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Related: 13 Social Constructions of Childhood in Today\u2019s Society<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Risky Play as an Educational Philosophy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Play is popular among educational philosophies<\/a> such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n