6 Categories of Risky Play
To protect our children we must allow them to play in ways deemed "risky."
-Peter Gray Ph.D. author of Free to Learn
Exploring height: This is often done by climbing trees. Climbing trees requires motor skills, problem-solving, patience, judgment, and persistence. Whether it’s a child climbing to the top, or one who is happy to hang from a branch with their feet inches from the ground, the thrill is theirs.
Moving: The most important thing you can do is give children the time, space, and opportunity to move. Students learn to regulate how much force is needed to complete a task. Children learn to regulate their body's force by playing tag without hurting another child or holding something fragile with appropriate gentleness -working outdoors, such as digging in the dirt, or pulling a wagon with heavy rocks or pails filled with stones or shells, activates this sense. Quick movement, running, jumping, and hopping are important ways children build confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Tool Play: Children can learn about cause and effect through risky play experiences by observing the tools' impact on particular materials. This will support their problem-solving and logical thinking while offering a real-life experience.
Exploring Elements: Allowing children to explore natural elements is a vital part of development. Children are increasingly more fascinated by things they are unable to explore. Providing a safe space for children to explore fire, water, and any other risky element is beneficial for children to respect them and grow as advocates for safety in the future.
Rough and Tumble: Rough-and-tumble play (RTP) is a common form of play between children. RTP can contribute to the development of self-regulating, acknowledgment of boundaries, and consent.
Exploration: Exploring the inside and outside world is essential for children's emotional, social, and physical development. It also gives children a chance to work on necessary motor skills. Allowing children to understand outcomes is also a massive benefit of exploration.
To gain more insight into Risky Play please read this wonderful article!
