My background in education has centred on environmental science and outdoor play. Although I thoroughly understand the fearful reactions to the recent article 'Playing with fire' (21 August), my MA research into taking children, families and staff into more challenging environments has shown me how crucial the experience of 'risk' is.
There is increasing evidence that the media is creating an adult psychology of wrapping children up in hygienic cotton wool and 'protecting' them from the many things they need to experience, but might lead to litigation and hence adult harm. What I am advocating are rigorous pre-visit/pre-activity checks and thorough risk assessment. Unless children get dirty, fall over, make a noise, get stung by stinging nettles, experience silence, get wet, see fire and appreciate its potential benefits and harm, their conceptual development will be deprived. Think of a world where there were no candles on birthday cakes.
Unless the children in the article really saw the damage to their mini-London, how could they understand what happened or the importance of the real fire engine standing by?
I grew up with open coal fires in my home, but many children these days do not. When we take three- to five-year-olds to the local National Trust property, Carlyle's House, one thing that fascinates them is the real coal fire. Think about how much cross-curricular learning comes from a discussion comparing this with their own homes.
If we, as both children and adults, do not experience real challenge and risk, we never experience what adventure education terms 'flow' - the exhilaration of real achievement. By challenge I do not mean taking young children out for a night in the open on a bare mountain, but an experience to challenge them, such as a long walk, pond dipping or making a den with sticks.
If an event is planned in consultation with colleagues and families and detailed checks are made on potential risks, then all should be as safe as a wise and caring parent would wish.
