Children like to take risks; it is an integral part of life's lessons to push yourself to the edge of your limit to understand your abilities. As adults, many of us have experienced this, usually during our childhoods. Parents should allow their children to engage in risky play, climbing a tree or a climbing frame. Teachers are placed into a difficult position when risky play is involved while on their watch. On one side of the dilemma, the teacher wants to encourage the children to conquer fears. However, the children are under the teacher's responsibility, and therefore injury should preferably be avoided,
There are no specific guidelines on this, and it is beneficial to consider how risky play can help build confidence.
No Accidents
A child that engages in risky play does so as a matter of determining choice. They didn't climb to the top of that climbing frame by accident. While doing so, every step and arm movement is carefully considered. As a child makes a successful step upwards, they get a straightforward win in their minds, which is focused on the activity. Getting to the top and back down safely will often bring a sense of achievement and build up a child's confidence.
Most accidents involving children happen not during this type of carefully considered action, but more when just running around or when a child is less focused and inattentive. Risky play activities are considered proactive as opposed to reactive. Climbing a tall frame requires effort and intention from a child.
Lowering the risks
Teachers can help children engage in risky play activities by reducing the risks that could lead to accidents and injury. One or two children at a time reduce the risk of overcrowding a situation. This can lead to bad choices being made by the children. If climbing a tree, the teacher can aid the child in making the correct branch selection, for example.
Risky play should not be permitted on broken equipment or around open water. It is down to the teacher to assess the risks involved in the activity.
These choices that children make during a risky play activity help to develop complex analytical skills.
Risky play builds relationships.
As a teacher responsible for the children in their care, it is vital for the adults to learn and understand each child's abilities and developmental stages. Risky play should, of course, be avoided until a relationship has developed with each child. Children also have different developmental stages, and just because one child is capable of reaching a climbing frame's summit does not mean that all children in the class will be able to do it. A teacher can set lower targets for other children to help them reach the top in more miniature stages.
Risky play will often test the comfort zone levels of adults. It is often worth considering - what would you have done at that age before stopping or allowing the activity to continue?
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