In early childhood settings, the instinct to say, “Be careful!” is common—while well-intentioned, these words do little to teach children how to assess risk and make safe decisions independently. Children are natural risk-takers and providing them with opportunities to take risks not only fosters a sense of adventure but allows them to take on and overcome challenges that are crucial for building resilience and honing their problem-solving skills. This session aims to explore the benefits of risky play with the goal of shifting the focus from eliminating risk to managing it, creating an environment where children learn to navigate challenges safely without compromising their need for a sense of adventure. We will examine common risky play scenarios to question traditional safety mindsets and suggest alternative ways to communicate to empower rather than limit children’s exploration.
