Children's Risky Outdoor Play

As a practitioner, we need to acknowledge how important play and leisure activities can be one of the cruel factor of a child’s development; Throughout my experience I have witnessed play to be extremely important to children’s and young people’s wellbeing and development.

I am a French teacher in Murch Elementary School, and I observed Julian on November 10, 2014 between 11:30 am and 12 pm, during his outdoor play. Julian is 6 years old and he is a boy. He attends a second grade Class in Murch School. Observing Julian during his outdoor play will give me an opportunity to learn more about his physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development. I decided to observe Julian because Julian is a confident child who is taller than other children in his class. He enjoys play outside. Julian is a child who likes smile and runs everywhere. My observation method was to write everything I saw Julian was doing, and there were sufficient staff supervising outdoor play so I was able to concentrate on observing Julian

In the article “Can a Playground Be Too Safe?”, J. Tierney questions the value of safety-first playgrounds and argues that it is unfavorable for the emotional development of children. Indeed, Tierney explains that not confronting kids to the dangers and risks will not help them overcome their fears. Throughout this article, the author produced a well-rounded piece by using ethical, emotional and logical appeals.

Why is it important for a child to play? In one article, it is stated that free, unstructured play is important for a child’s brain development (Anonymous, 2016). It allows for the child to not only

Play significantly affects the development of the whole child. Within play’s natural learning environment, children develop cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. One dominant method use in the study of play is through naturalistic observations. In naturalistic research, the observer does not intervene at all.

Based on relevant reading and personal experience outline the theoretical rationale for play in the development of young children.

Play is a fundamental element to a child’s well-being and happiness. Evidence has shown that play contributes to a child’s health and future life chances. Without play or having restricted play it can negativity impact a child’s physical and mental health which can then lead to things such as obesity, rickets and attention deficit disorder.

When planning and providing play opportunities for children and young people, the goal is not to eliminate risk, but to weigh up the risks and benefits. Play is important for children’s well-being and development. It’s also important to provide some risk taking challenging opportunities for all children and young people to encounter or create uncertainty, unpredictability, and potential hazards as part of their play and growing up.

To children, play is just fun. However, playtime is as important to their development as food and good care. Playtime helps children be creative, learn problem-solving skills and learn self-control.  Good, hardy play, which includes running and yelling, is not only fun, but helps children to be physically and mentally healthy.

In contrast Ball et al. (2008) distinguish striking the right balance between protecting children from the most serious risks however they need to be allowed to gain the benefits of play, not eliminate the risk. They propose, in essence, risky play is a safe and beneficial activity that needs sensible adult judgments in order to derive the best benefits for children, whilst ensuring they are not exposed to unnecessary

All of the things the children are learning carry over to outside play. Outside play is important as it gives children opportunities to engage in challenges, unrestricted all while pursuing a self-directed quest (Freeman, Decker & Decker, 2013). The overall outside space that was chosen is equipped with the appropriate equipment that contributes to their motor skills. This could include but not limited to learning how to go up and down the slide or pushing others on the swing.

Like the top article states "Play time is important for kids." it does help the young kids and teens get into better shape because the health issue of sitting can be major. The kids need to be restricted until maybe fifteen. Thats in my mind set though i wish my parents would have told me or forced me to go out side because i wouldnt be haveing the health issues im having now. But no matter what happens in the life time your mind is what controls you not anyone else. you can be told to go outside and play but you can just sit there and not listen.

Parents are finally realizing the dangers of kids playing unsafe sports at an early age. According to Mark Murphy, the president of the Green Bay Packers and a board member at U.S.A. Football, participation has dropped and there’s a concern among parents about when it’s the right age to start playing tackle, if at all (Nader and Reed). Parents are less motivated to sign up their children to football teams or any sport team because they know their children are being exposed to being hurt. When it comes to football, many parents think tackling is not the safest therefore there is not as much participation as before. Not only are teens at risk, but also younger children, even though they are much younger and the sport is not played as rough they

Play can also improve cognitive development because children can play in a relaxed environment and manner. This allows creativity, exploration, and independence comes into effect. When new things are being discovered, this is an open end learning opportunity. Lastly, play can help with children’s

Santrock (2012) also outlines the benefit of play for the child's physical development, as it "permits the child to work off excess physical energy and to release pent-up tensions" (Santrock, 2012, p.438), resulting in improved physical and mental health. Garvey (1991, p.27) states that play involving physical activity occurs more frequently in healthy children, possibly confirming that it is a component of healthy development. In addition to this, encouraging physical activity through play could influence the children to maintain a healthy lifestyle later in life, and has an array of physical and mental health benefits which prevent disease associated with lack of activity (Chaloux and Media, 2013.)