Sometimes it feels like our little ones today are so protected from getting hurt that they don’t get to explore the world as much as generations before them! While it is the job of families and teachers to keep our children safe, it is also important to let them spread their wings. When children are encouraged to go outside of their comfort zone and engage in more risky play, they gain self-confidence and independence along with many new developmental skills.
What are the benefits of risky play?
Provided that children are supervised and supported, risky play opens up many opportunities for under fives to learn life skills.
Risky play helps children to:
- Build resilience and persistence;
- Develop balance and coordination;
- Gain awareness of their physical capabilities and limits;
- Handle tools safely and with purpose;
- Understand the consequences of actions;
- Gain confidence and independence;
- Become more resourceful;
- Think creatively and inventively;
- Solve problems; and
- Be curious.
Risky play can also help children learn how to persevere, share, support their peers, overcome fears, learn new skills and have lots of fun along the way.
Click here to explore risky play by letting your child go Up The Slide!
