Risky Play What is Risky Play - "thrilling and exciting forms of physical play that involve uncertainty and a risk of physical injury" (Sandseter 2010b)
8 Categories of risky play in the Early Years(Sandseter, 2021) Play with great heights e.g. Going up high trees or buildings gives a huge feeling of achievement and some pretty good views. Play with high speed e.g. Swinging or sliding or riding on something with wheels. Anything to get that thrill of speed. Play with dangerous tools e.g. Using real adult tools Play near dangerous elements e.g. Playing near water, fire, cliffs Play where children go exploring alone Hide and seek gives children the temporary feeling of separation without any real danger of being forgotten Rough and tumble e.g. Fighting, wrestling, chasing, catching Play with impact-children crashing into something repeatedly just for fun Vicarious play-children experiencing thrill by watchin other children (most often older) engaging in risk.
Research indicates that risky play can lead to increased physical activity, improved motor/physical competence (Brussoni et al 2015 Fjortoft 2000), higher ability to assess risks and handle risk situations in an appropriate way (Ball 2002 Boyesen 1997 Lavrysen et al 2015) and positive psychological outcomes (Brussoni et al 2015 Sandseter and Kennair 2011) and general health (Brussoni et al 2015).
A category of risky play is allowing children the freedom to explore alone. Being able to explore not only satisfies the child's curiosity but it allows them to regulate their self-determination and become self-empowered (Blackwell 2015; Little, 2015).
With the possible decline of risky play there is a need to construct safe playing environments for children to experience the necessary developmental skills to be autonomous.
Without the scaffolding at an early age a child may not have the ability and confidence later in life to judge for itself.
There are cultural differences in how Risky Play exists all around the world. Research shows that in Norway and Canada, parents and caregivers are much less risk averse than those in Australia and the USA. And there is a difference between Risky Play in indoor settings as opposed to outdoor ones.
研究によると、リスキープレイは、身体活動の増加、運動・身体的能力の向上（Brussoni et al 2015 Fjortoft 2000）、リスクを評価し、危険な状況を適切に処理する能力の向上（Ball 2002 Boyesen 1997 Lavrysen et al 2015）、心理的成果の向上（Brussoni et al 2015 Sandseter and Kennair 2011）および健康全般（Brussoni et al 2015）などに繋がる可能性があると言われています。
