The Importance of Risky Play in Early Childhood Education: Why It’s Essential for Your Child’s Development

In today’s world, safety is a top priority for parents and educators, but did you know that allowing children to engage in risky play is just as important for their development? While the term risky play might sound concerning, it doesn’t mean exposing children to danger. Instead, it refers to challenging, adventurous, and exploratory play that helps children build confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills.

At Little Scribblers, we believe in providing safe yet stimulating environments where children in childcare, daycare, and preschool can engage in risky play in a way that supports their physical, cognitive, and emotional development. But what exactly is risky play, and how can parents encourage it at home? Let’s explore!

What is risky play?

Risky play is a natural and necessary part of early childhood education. It involves challenging activities that test children’s limits, encourage exploration, and help them develop independence. Some common types of risky play include:

Climbing and balancing – Climbing playground equipment or walking along logs.
Running, chasing, and rough-and-tumble play – Fast-paced movement that improves coordination.
Jumping from heights – Learning to land safely from small jumps.
Exploring new environments – Playing in nature, climbing rocks, or walking THROUGH UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Playing with natural elements– Splashing in puddles, digging in the dirt, or handling sticks and stones.
Using tools under supervision – Hammering nails into wood, cutting with safety scissors, or using kitchen utensils.

By engaging in these activities in a supervised and structured environment, children in long day care, nursery, and preschool learn how to assess risks, make safe choices, and develop essential life skills.

Why is risky play important for child development?

Many parents instinctively want to protect their toddlers and preschoolers from all risks, but shielding them too much can limit their learning experiences. Risky play in early childhood education provides essential benefits, including:

Builds Confidence and Independence

When children engage in risky play at childcare, they develop self-confidence by testing their abilities and achieving small successes. This sense of accomplishment encourages them to take on new challenges.

Enhances problem-solving and decision-making skills

Risky play allows children to evaluate risks, make decisions, and learn from mistakes in a controlled environment. These skills help them navigate the world independently.

Supports physical development and coordination

Running, jumping, climbing, and balancing improve strength, motor skills, and overall fitness—essential for a healthy, active lifestyle.

Encourages emotional regulation

Risky play teaches children how to manage emotions such as fear, excitement, and frustration in a safe and supported way. This helps build resilience and emotional intelligence.

Develops social and communication skills

In group settings like childcare and preschool, risky play encourages teamwork, negotiation, and collaboration. Children learn to communicate boundaries, take turns, and resolve conflicts.

How Little Scribblers ensures safe risky play in childcare and preschool

At Little Scribblers, we understand the balance between risk and safety. Our educators create structured, well-supervised opportunities for risky play while ensuring children develop skills in a safe environment.

Safe play environments – We provide age-appropriate, well-maintained play areas that encourage adventure and physical activity.
Risk assessment and supervision – Our educators closely monitor activities while allowing children the freedom to explore.
Teaching risk management – We guide children to assess risks themselves, such as checking if a branch is strong before climbing.
Encouraging resilience – We help children understand that it’s okay to fall and try again, building emotional resilience.
Nature play and outdoor learning – We incorporate natural elements like logs, climbing trees, and loose materials to stimulate creativity and problem-solving.

By supporting safe risky play, we help children at daycare, preschool, and nursery develop the confidence and independence they need for school and beyond.

How parents can encourage safe risky play at home

Risky play doesn’t just happen in childcare or daycare—it’s just as important at home! Here are safe ways to introduce it:

🌳 Outdoor adventures

Let children climb trees, balance on logs, or jump off low surfaces.
Visit parks, bush trails, and playgrounds to encourage free movement.
Allow running, rolling, and splashing in puddles for sensory exploration.

🛠 Supervised tool use

Let toddlers use kitchen tools like blunt knives for spreading butter or peeling fruit.
Provide safe construction play with soft wood and toy tools.

🏡 Indoor obstacle courses

Set up cushion stepping stones, tunnels, and climbing challenges inside the house.
Encourage jumping from one soft surface to another for balance training.

🤸‍♂️ Rough-and-tumble play

Allow wrestling and playful physical interaction with siblings or parents.
Encourage pretend play that involves movement, such as superheroes or adventurers.

🚲 Learning new physical skills

Support your child in riding a bike, roller-skating, or climbing monkey bars.
Teach them how to fall safely and get back up.

By giving children space to explore, parents can help build confidence and resilience in a controlled, safe environment.

Balancing risk and safety – the key to confident learners

Risky play isn’t about exposing children to danger—it’s about providing structured, safe opportunities for them to develop skills, test their limits, and grow into confident learners.