3 Importance of Risk

Risk is an important component of outdoor, nature-based play. It would be negligent to both avoid and ignore risk as an element of the outdoor environment. As with the indoor environment, educators need to focus on the real and the significant risks present in the environment. A risk-benefit assessment should be conducted each time a program plans to engage young children in the outdoors (Motion, 2018). The benefits identified previously outline the positive impact outdoor play can have on the developing child; what risks are present?

Risk cannot be taught from a textbook as practical experience is needed (Motion, 2018). The need for practical experience with risk and risk-assessment is a key reason to include outdoor risky play as a component of college ECE programs, and to include opportunities to work with young children in conducting risk assessments. Risk assessment is dynamic; meaning, what is perceived as risky to one person, may not hold the same risk for another. Children and educators need to be taught to trust their own judgement. To engage in a risk assessment it is important to use a flexible approach, which considers the ages and varying abilities of individual children, as well as the layout and view of the play space. Adults and children engage in constant risk assessment by looking for dangers in the tree canopy (above their head), at the height of their direct line of vision and on the ground. Conversations with children will assist them in the development of their own risk assessment and provide them with language to talk about their own abilities. Engaging in risky play is not neglect, reckless, or pushing beyond development abilities!

Risk is often correlated to injuries that may result. Small cuts and bruises, which heal quickly, should be anticipated as a normal part of growing up (Motion, 2018). Moderate injuries are defined as those injuries which result in time off work or school and would require formal reporting to governing bodies. Serious injuries, are defined as those that result in long-term effects such as traumatic brain injuries, amputation, or death (Brussoni, 2018). A visit to the hospital is not criteria for classification as a serious injury. Often, risk is avoided with the goal of reducing injuries. As the statistics in the next section will illustrate, injuries occur more frequently at home and often indoors or as a result of a motor vehicle accident than due to outdoor risky play.