Why take a risk on risk?​

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'Risky play' is a term that describes the type of adventurous play which children naturally seek out, which is thrilling and holds the risk of physical harm (Ellen Sandseter, 2023).

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Ellen Sandseter outlines 8 categories of risky play:

1. High speed

2. Great heights

3. Getting lost/disappearing

4. Dangerous tools

5. Dangerous elements

6. Rough and Tumble

7. Bang and crash

8. Vicarious (where we get a thrill from watching others take risks)

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The research on risky play is repeatedly conclusive:  It's vital for children's healthy development and children need more of it.  

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Risky play:​

• Can reduce the risk of developing anxiety

• Builds children's confidence and self esteem through mastering challenges

• Supports children to take risks in other areas such as a social risk (asking a friend to play) or an academic risk (picking up a pen and making a mark)

• Can help develop executive function (ability to be organised and manage tasks)

• Develops persistence and resilience

• Supports physical development particularly proprioception (our 'muscle' sense) and vestibular (our balance sense)...both of which are important for self regulation

• Supports children to become capable risk assessors and better manage risk in the future

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At KRCC our physical play philosophy supports children to engage in adventurous play in...with the active supervision and support (as needed) of an adult.  You'll see all 8 elements of risky play in practice at our service, every day...from birth.

 

 

Children are more active during adventurous play

Research shows that when children are supported to engage in adventurous play, they are generally more physically active.  This supports the development of their foundational skills for learning as shown in the pyramid of learning below.  Note, the foundational skills for learning are all those sections shown below 'academic learning' (the small red triangle at the top).​​

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Figure: Pyramid of learning:​​