allowing (encouraging) risky play
Last week we walked to one of our forests. (Yes, we are really lucky and have more than one forest within walking distance from the school.)
This forest is right in town. It has define limits - sidewalks! It also has trails, bridges, huge trees, a small creek and plenty of room to explore, play games and enjoy a bit of freedom.
We go with our big buddy class. The rule is that the big buddy has to stay with the little buddy and the little buddy has to stay with the big buddy. No going onto the sidewalk. Come to the whistle blast as soon as you hear it and as quickly as you can.
On this visit, the main attraction was a log. A log crossing over a little bit of a creek.
After a bit of exploring a few kids asked me if they could go across the log.
My answer was that they could IF they felt it was safe for them. Kindergarten kidlets could go across on their bums and big kids could walk.
This little guy scooted over the log countless times. He was concentrating hard and mastering a new skill.
The big kids could not resist jumping off the log. Same rule. Only if you feel safe.
The kids had to make the choice for themselves if they felt it was safe for them to cross on the log.
Some kids felt totally safe, and could probably have cartwheeled across the log. Other kids looked, thought about it, and decided that it was not for them. Both options were perfectly acceptable.
Making risk assessments and taking safe risks is an important part of self regulation. And an important part of development.
Life is full of risks. Very little is learned without risk being taken. No one would ever learn to walk if they were not willing/able/allowed to risk falling on their bums. Kids need to learn to assess risk and take productive risks. Risks that have greater benefit than than the small dangers.
Children need to be able to take reasonable risks. Through risk taking they can develop self confidence, good judgement, persistence and perseverance, and resiliency. Children learn to make judgement call through real life. Through successes and challenges. Through bumps, bruises, band-aids and trying again.
When my son was 6 or 7, he loved riding his bike down a path on a hill. He loved going as fast as his little feet could pedal - and then a wee bit faster. A number of other mums were worried about him and asked if I knew what he was doing. I had an understanding with my son - he wore a helmet and I carried band aids (big ones). I wanted him to learn to take safe risks on a bicycle before he got behind the wheel of a car.
I plan to go back to our forest a couple of times before the end of the school year. It's likely that the log will be a major attraction again. We will talk about safe choices. I will carry band-aids in my first aid kit. And we will have a lot of fun, enjoying nature and the challenges and opportunities it offers us.
reading about risky play
