Children Thriving with Risky Play: The Risky Play Position Statement for Young Australian Children

The Risky Play Position Statement for Young Australian Children (hereafter Position Statement) has united professionals from medical, educational, and playground design disciplines representing government and not-for-profit sectors across Australia in providing an authoritative voice to advocate for risky play in children’s lives. Risky play is an inherent and critical component of young children’s play; yet, within Australia, risky play is often missing from children’s lives. This Position Statement challenges the current Australian narrative around risky play and highlights a benefitrisk approach to risky play for all young children. The Position Statement recognises the importance of risky play for all children’s health and wellbeing. However, the Position Statement intentionally focuses on children aged birth to 8 years. The first eight years of life is a critical time for overall child development including, the development of risk literacy skills, risk management skills and a healthy appetite for risk. Children during this period are receptive towards change and challenge; and, the skills developed during this time form the foundation for decision-making as they gain independence in later years. Despite the numerous and well documented physical, social, emotional and cognitive benefits of risky play, risky play is not consistently supported and encouraged for young children within Australian contexts. The dearth of support and advocacy for risky play in Australia may be due to several misperceptions. The Position Statement addresses these misperceptions and provides current research evidence about risky play. Throughout the Position Statement guidance pertaining to hazards, risks and safety are intentionally prominent. Risky play is not unsafe play; it may involve some risk of injury, but it does not involve hazards that cause injuries. Further the Position Statement highlights the role of adults in children’s risky play. Adults can support children’s engagement in safe risky play and promote children’s refinement of their risk-management and risk-literacy skills critical throughout life. The Position Statement takes an inclusive approach, acknowledging that risky play differs across knowledge systems and cultures and may be influenced by local community perspectives and experiences, such as First Nations knowledges on play and risk. The Position Statement recognises the importance of respecting cultural protocols around specific environments, spaces and activities. This Position Statement is a benchmark for guiding all adults in children’s lives, to actively promote positive and engaging playful learning opportunities which include risk. In developing this statement, we are advocating risky play for all children, relevant stakeholders and the wider community and inviting informed discussion about the meanings of risk and risky play provision for young children. The Position Statement is an imperative first step in guiding the Australian community to reconceptualise risky play, what it involves and how it can be promoted for all children aged birth to 8 years.