RISK PLAY AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

RISK PLAY AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

Risk play involves any form of exiting physical activity that carries with it some risks of physical injuries and also it is uncertain and sometimes unstructured. Many parents and teachers are concerned with the safety of the children, forcing the children to play in less risky but boring activities. There are many benefits that children involved in risk play have, which helps the child later in life, making the play an essential part of a child’s growth. This essay explains how risky play helps in the well-being and health of the child.

Risky Play Activities and the Health of Children

Children engage in risk play for the sake of it. The fearful joy, exhilaration and fear make the children look happy, joyful and ecstatic. Such joy makes risky play repetitive to achieve the same level of pleasure. Besides the joy from playing, the risky play satisfies the innate desire in the child early on in life, and this reduces the chance of the child making more dangerous activities later that can have more negative consequences due to their uncontrolled nature. When children are allowed to play in risky activities, they develop an ability to self-regulate from knowing the dangers of the activities, which helps them as they grow (Sandseter & Kleppe, 2019). Also, the children develop self-awareness when they learn the possibilities of their activities, which is essential for their well-being.

Through risk activities, children become aware of the activities and their boundaries, the possibilities, and the environment. This makes them avoid dangerous activities, improving their spatial and risk management skills (Little et al., 2012). Also, coping mechanisms that the children develop when they have adverse outcomes or failure while playing make them develop self-reliance and resilience, which will be valuable throughout their lives.

For a healthy life, physical activities are necessary and injuries, not only part of the activities but unavoidable. There are adverse effects on health and health behaviors from a lack of risk playing activities for children. Injuries associated with risk play activities should not deter parents and ECD (Early Childhood Development) teachers from letting children engage in such activities.

Adult Supervision

The risks associated with risky activities can be minimized by having adult supervision. A study comparing children attending health centers due to injuries and illness found children who had supervision were attending the emergency department suffering from illness, not injuries (Brussoni, 2015). Proponents of preventing injuries in children propose having safety standards for the equipment used in playing. This can involve having maximum height for equipment used in jumping or climbing. Also, changing the surface, by using a rubber surface instead of natural ground can reduce injuries. However, most types of injuries children have while playing does not warrant such measures. Majority of injuries associated with playing requires no medical treatment or minimal medical attention. Also, modifying the playgrounds make them less enticing to children making the children opt for other activities. This affects their well-being.

In an early child care center teachers’ supervision can work instead of modifying the environment. Having an adult in the playground minimizes injuries while giving the children the environment they need psychologically to develop. As the children play, they will develop their self-concept, know the risks involved, and how to avoid the risks, while still enjoying. Such play is geared towards their well-being while adult supervision minimizes injury.

Conclusion

With parents and teachers concerned about the safety of the children while playing, there is also a need to give the children independence and an environment that will encourage their playful behavior. Risky playing activities provides the child with the thrill and excitement of both fear and joy, making it part of a child’s essential need. Modifying the environment to make it less risky also makes it less enticing for the children. Adult supervision is thus required for reducing the risks associated with playful activities in children.

References

Brussoni et al. (2015). What is the Relationship between Risky Outdoor Play and Health in Children? A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(6), 6423-6454. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph120606423

Little et al. (2012). Early Childhood Teachers’ Beliefs about Children’s Risky Play in Australia and Norway. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 13(4), 300-316. http://dx.doi.org/10.2304/ciec.2012.13.4.300

Sandsetter, E.B.H., & Kleppe, R. (2019). Outdoor Risky Play. Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development.