Risky Play, Then and Now

Play is an essential part of childhood, and growing attention has focused on the potential health benefits of “risky” or “thrill-seeking” play. Such play behavior is readily observed on any playground, where it can sometimes lead to injuries––most often from fall impacts––that require medical attention. Monkey bars account for ~7% of childhood arm fractures in the United States, an alarming statistic that raises difficult questions over its costs and benefits. Many authors view monkey bars as a public health hazard, but it is plausible that our childhood impulse toward thrill-seeking play is a result of selective pressures throughout our primate evolutionary history. Indeed, emerging evidence suggests that the developmental benefits of thrill-seeking play extend into adulthood, outweighing the occasional costs of injury. Disparate and consequential, these dueling perspectives have fueled debate among health professionals and policymakers, but with little attention to the work of biological anthropologists. Here we call attention to the hominin fossil record and play behaviors of non-human primates, providing a novel perspective that bolsters arguments for the adaptive significance of thrill-seeking play. The moment for such a review is timely, for it commemorates the centennial anniversaries of two playground icons: the jungle gym and monkey bars.

show abstract

Risky Play Approaches of Educators in German and Turkish Nature‐Based Preschools

Deniz,

Cevher Kalburan

2024

Euro J of Education

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This cross‐cultural multiple case study investigates the approaches of educators in nature‐based preschools in Turkey and Germany towards risky play, exploring factors influencing play behaviours and educator roles. Four educators from Turkey and three educators from Germany participated in the study. Through qualitative analysis of interviews and observations, three themes emerged: factors affecting play (including age, gender, environment, and cultural norms), educator roles (pre‐play, during play, post‐play), and risky play requirements (rules, risk management). Findings reveal cultural differences in attitudes towards risk, the impact of policy frameworks on practice, and the importance of professional development for educators. Policy implications include the need for supportive regulations promoting outdoor play, while future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess long‐term outcomes of risky play and explore innovative approaches to risk management. This study underscores the importance of creating environments that empower children to engage in enriching, developmentally appropriate play experiences while ensuring their safety and well‐being.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Risky Play, Then and Now

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Encounters with ice and snow in preschool outdoor practices – and the becoming of (un)sustainability values

Encounters with ice and snow in preschool outdoor practices – and the becoming of (un)sustainability values

Commemorating the monkey bars, catalyst of debate at the intersection of human evolutionary biology and public health

Risky Play Approaches of Educators in German and Turkish Nature‐Based Preschools

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About