Risk-‐taking is an important element of children’s play and provides many learning opportunities.
• Risky play provides children with a chance to learn how to manage risk and as a result develop an understanding of safety.
• It allows children to explore their desire for risk in a controlled and carefully supervised situation, reducing the likelihood that they will seek out greater unmanaged risks for themselves.
• Experiences such a climbing trees, jumping from a height, balancing and sliding allow children to accept challenge and experience feelings of success and pride.
Risky play provides a unique opportunity to experience thrill and exhilaration.
Children who engage in challenging play in nature areas show improved physical skills and spatial awareness.
Risk-taking in play allows children to learn to assess risk which is part of transitioning to mature self-regulation.
