A major study by Play England, part of the National Children's Bureau in the United Kingdom, and reported in an article in Sunday's The Observer (U.K.), explains that "risky" play is a childhood necessity. At the Museum, we know that child-directed, open-ended Discovery Play sometimes leads to bonked heads and skinned knees - but that might not be a terrible thing:

1. The absolute level of risk of much outdoor play is probably over-emphasized in our culture. Last year in England, "almost three times as many children were admitted to hospital after falling out of bed as those who had fallen from a tree." 
2. Physical activity is critically important in a world where children spend increasing numbers of hours in front of a screen. In the U.K., this study said, "half of all children have been stopped from climbing trees, 21 per cent have been banned from playing conkers and 17 per cent have been told they cannot take part in games of tag or chase." If they can't play these typical childhood games, what are their alternatives?
3. The ability to fall down and get up again applies to more experiences than just climbing a tree. "Risk-taking increases the resilience of children," says one expert quoted in the study.
   
4. "It helps them make judgments," said another expert. It is impossible to protect your children from all risk - but when they aren't allowed the opportunity to explore their own abilities, they won't learn to judge their own limits.
5. If we want our children to be stewards for the environment, they need to get out and get dirty in nature. According to the research, "70 per cent of adults had their biggest childhood adventures in outdoor spaces among trees, rivers and woods, compared with only 29 per cent of children today. The majority of young people questioned said that their biggest adventures took place in playgrounds."
   

Tell us in the comments - do you let your kids enjoy "risky" play?

Related Posts:

The Decline of "Serious" Play - February 22, 2008 11:36 AM

5 Dangerous Things Your Kids Should Do - February 12, 2008 4:32 PM

This entry was posted on August 06, 2008 and is filed under Jennifer Caleshu.
Tagged: parents, in the news
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