Risky Play
Playing outdoors is a risk for any child growing up. Adults often use well-meaning reminders like: “Be careful,” “Don’t run too fast,” and “You are going to hurt yourself." Without a doubt, as parents and caregivers, our number one priority is to keep our children safe, and we try to balance that with giving children the freedom to explore the world around them. Children are curious. They want to know: how the world works, how their bodies work, and the idea of a relatively safe space. When children play, they test the environment and what they are comfortable exploring.
Outdoor play offers many developmental opportunities for young children. It can provide new sensory experiences, executive functioning skills, self-confidence, gross motor skills, and risk-assessment abilities. Studies have shown that most injuries associated with risky play tend to be minor bumps, scrapes, and bruises. Our fears get in the way of allowing children to explore and learn risk management skills. When you see your child engaging in risky play, try the 17-second rule; stand back and observe what your child is trying to do, and watch them solve the problem. Research says children participating in risky play tend to have fewer injuries because they constantly work on their risk-assessment skills. You may be surprised at what your child can do.
"Children participating in risky play tend to have fewer injuries
because they constantly work on their risk-assessment skills."
Fixed structures are fun but can actually limit play. The greatest learning and development can happen during unstructured play—freedom to build on imagination using loose parts, boxes, and recycled materials. A natural environment that provides logs, mud, sticks, planks, rocks, sand, and water is the ideal learning environment for young children. During play, supervise, facilitate, and support them rather than guide them.
Here are some things we can say to help children experience the richness of learning through outdoor "risky" play:
Notice how…these rocks are slippery, the log is rotten, that branch is strong.
Do you see…the poison ivy, your friends nearby?
Try moving…your feet slowly, carefully, quickly, strongly.
Try using your…hands, feet, arms, legs.
Can you hear…the rushing water, the singing birds, the wind?
Do you feel…stable on that rock, the heat from the fire?
Are you feeling…scared, excited, tired, safe?
At WHPS, you will see preschoolers run up the slide, swing on their tummies, and walk on balance beams. We allow children to explore sand, water, rocks, shaving cream, sticks, and leaves. While our campuses have some fixed structures, we strive to leverage our natural settings where children can use tree stumps, puddles, sand, water, pots, and more, all in a safe and loving environment.
