All of these categories of risky play are often set out so that children can engage in Risky Play safely, with supervision and safety equipment. Ellen Sandster, Norwegian Professor of physical education and health within Early Childhood Research, has identified six categories of risks that seem to attract children in their daily play.
Great Heights: Children can climb heights which can be scary to them, this creates a thrilling feeling as well as getting to see the world in a bird’s eye-view and from a different perspective.
Rapid Speeds: Children can swing on ropes, swings, slides, which allows the child to feel almost out of control, but not really.
Dangerous tools: Children can play/use knives, tools, machinery, that could potentially be dangerous, this also builds the children’s confidence in feeling trusted and using a dangerous resource.
Dangerous elements: Children can play in water and with fire.
Rough and tumble: Young children can engage in rough play, chasing each other and wrestling.
Disappearing and getting lost: Children can play hide and seek and experience a thrill of being alone and away from their peers, older children can venture off on their own and explore the idea of getting lost.
