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Why do children takes risks in physical play?

Discussing possible concerns about risks involved with physical play.

Good for looking at

Supporting children's risky play
Physical development
Effective practice

00:00: Mum, can you get my socks off?
00:02: Can you get up, can you still get up?
00:05: One of the concerns about physical play
00:07: is about keeping children safe.
00:10: Physical play can be risky
00:15: as children want and need to challenge themselves.
00:19: Learning how to take risks safely is
00:21: an extremely useful life skill.
00:29: First, there will be adult support and supervision,
00:31: while allowing them to struggle and master
00:33: difficult situations.
00:36: Denying these activities will hamper
00:38: the development of independence, resourcefulness,
00:41: confidence, and self-regulation.
00:44: So adults need to be aware of the capabilities
00:45: of their children
00:48: and make positive physical experiences available
00:50: in safe enough ways.
00:51: Take it a bit easy,
00:53: and let's try doing it a little bit slower,
00:55: do you think? Do you think that might help?
00:56: Shall we start from the bottom again
00:58: and do it a little bit slow?
01:03: Okay, you ready, right, take it nice and easy
01:05: there's no hurry,
01:05: that's it,
01:07: you watch where you're putting your hands and your feet,
01:10: yeah?
01:13: That's it, would you like me to hold it a little bit?
01:14: Yeah.
01:17: Yeah, if I hold it a little bit steady like that?
01:17: Yes.
01:22: Yeah?
01:24: Do it with two hands.
01:25: With two hands?
01:35: Oh, that's a good idea.
01:38: Wow, you're doing a really good job of this,
01:40: because it's quite tricky, isn't it?
01:44: Mm-hmm.
01:46: That's it.
01:47: Ouch.
01:50: Yes, it's very easy to bang your thumb
01:51: when you first start off.
01:52: Would you like me to start it off for you?
01:54: And then you don't need to keep your thumb there?
01:57: Oh, you've done it right, actually.
01:59: You've done a good job.
02:00: Harriet initially shows and models
02:04: for Rose how to use a large hammer.
02:06: Large tools might be considered risky,
02:08: but toy ones that don't work properly
02:12: can be just frustrating.
02:14: Later on, as we've seen,
02:16: Rose struggles on until she succeeds
02:19: at such a difficult task.
02:37: Children need to learn how to manage risk.
02:44: Oh, that looks very, very tricky.
02:47: Is that very tricky or is it okay?
02:49: Do you want me to hold the back of your hand?
02:52: This is new for Danny K.
02:54: He's being encouraged to think about
02:58: when he might need help in a situation that might be risky.
03:02: Yay, well done, can you climb in yourself?
03:04: Check that nobody's coming out.
03:08: Check you don't bump each other.
03:09: Who's going first,
03:11: is Danny going first, or Seth?
03:12: Seth.
03:13: Okay, Seth's going through.
03:17: Stephanie, wait.
03:19: Good.
03:32: Where've you gone? I can't see you.
03:33: I'm lost.
03:36: You're lost? Get your feet.
03:39: This time, he holds out his hand,
03:40: asking for help.
03:44: Well done. Put your arms out to balance,
03:53: put your arms out, so you can balance.
03:55: Children who've been encouraged
03:58: and supported in mastering difficult skills
04:00: gradually have that support withdrawn
04:03: as they become able to handle themselves safely,
04:12: confident in knowing how far they can go.