As parents and Early Years Professionals, it is natural that we want to do absolutely everything we can to protect our children and those in our care. However, allowing children to partake in risky play has so many benefits for children, even though it goes against our parental and caring instincts!

‘Risky Play’ is defined as a type of play that is not outright dangerous, but involves an element of the unknown, and therefore risk. It allows children to test the limits of their abilities, develop an awareness of risks and also feel in control and take ownership of their actions. Risky play can take many forms, from sliding, to jumping from heights, climbing, and balancing.

There are so many benefits of risky play, the most obvious being the sheer joy and feelings of excitement that it brings to children! Risky play provides children with an exciting and positive emotion when they manage to negotiate or overcome an obstacle, or a stimulus that they have perhaps previously feared. Have you ever seen a child unsure of trying out something at the park? They tentatively approach some apparatus, unsure at first but keen to explore. With a little encouragement they find the courage to have a go, and then the smiles and giggles are released! This is a perfect example of risky play and the joy it brings!

Risky play is therefore really beneficial for emotional development and emotional regulation. When a child can take safe risks and can manage their fear, overcome it and succeed, this helps them regulate their emotions and boost their confidence!

Risky play also has huge benefits for a child’s physical development; children develop their motor skills by manipulating their bodies safely, through for example, balancing and stretching and it also supports their fitness levels!

At Banana Moon Barnstaple, we regularly provide the children with opportunities to explore risky play, their favourite being the loose parts in the front garden! The children love to create obstacle courses using the tyres, planks and ladders and then have lots of fun climbing and balancing and complete the course! Sometimes they even create their own seesaws by balancing planks on the tyres and playing with their friends!

What risky play does your little one enjoy?