“Risky play”: an alternative to screens?

We have heard about it a few times in the media in recent days: the Canadian Paediatric Society recently issued new guidelines in favour of “risky play” .

But what does “risky play” represent?

This includes high-speed or high-altitude play, supervised activities involving impacts or tools such as hammers, ropes or knives, or games that involve the risk of disappearing from the adult's sight or even getting lost (temporarily!). According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, risky play is defined as an "exciting and stimulating form of free play" with "an uncertain outcome" and "a possibility of physical injury."

And what are the advantages of this type of game?

There are many! According to Dr. Émilie Beaulieu, pediatrician and author of the new guidelines from the Canadian Pediatric Society, risky play "helps children develop their self-esteem and physical skills. We see a lot of positive things in social interactions between children." Since the child is in control in this type of activity, it allows them to develop their creativity and push their limits , while of course remaining in their comfort zone. Finally, "risky play" may have beneficial effects related to anxiety and children's overall physical fitness .

A parallel with screens

As Ms. Beaulieu points out, "when we talk about 'risky play' with adults, it often reminds us a bit of the way we had fun when we were younger, when screens didn't exist, when children spent most of their time outside and weren't necessarily in play structures in highly regulated parks." What if "risky play" actually allowed children to get stimulation that was equivalent to, if not more interesting than, what they get from video games or other screen-based activities? What if it was a way to motivate children to explore and play more outside , far from adults' tendency to constantly eliminate any potential risk of injury, no matter how minor? As screens occupy an increasingly important place in the lives of young and old, it is undoubtedly relevant to review the guidelines we impose on them in order to encourage them to play more freely, while enjoying the many benefits that "risky play" can bring them .

Integrating the “risky game”

Because each form of "risky play" obviously differs from one child to another depending on their age and level of development, at Les Belles Combines, we have our own way of integrating it so that it remains suitable and safe!

The charter of responsibilities and freedoms

To encourage children to develop their autonomy, we must also allow them to gain new freedoms at the same time : walking or cycling alone within a certain perimeter, playing outside without supervision, using certain kitchen tools and accessories, etc. It is with this in mind that we have created our task magnets by level, so that the more complex the tasks asked of the child become, the more they acquire new freedoms which at the same time expose them to more risks that we will then be able to explain to them by making them responsible so that they can ensure their own safety.

Obviously, “risky” certainly does not equal “danger.” “ The role of parents remains to eliminate possible dangers ,” says pediatrician Émilie Beaulieu. It is therefore always essential to provide supervision in any situation where the child is not able to assess potential risks and perceive real possible dangers.

So, are you ready to let some “slack” go?

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