Life is a risky business and, as argued by early years experts Peter Moss and Pat Petrie, 'risk is inherent in human endeavour, and for children not to engage with it is for them to be cut off from an important part of life'.
The Mental Health Foundation asserts that free play outdoors 'enables children to take risks, think through decisions and gain increased self confidence and greater resilience'. So if exposing children to risk in a managed and supportive situation is a positive aspect of our outdoor practice, how do we balance the benefits of risky play against the potential for harm? How do we introduce challenge while keeping hazards to an acceptable level? How can we offer children adventure and keep them safe?
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
