Throughout this episode, Ellen Sandseter, researcher and expert in Children’s Risky Play, shares practical tips and guidance for adopting a more relaxed approach to children’s risk-taking in the Early Years.
Reflective practice
Have you ever considered taking your next staff meeting outdoors to immerse yourself in some of those thrill-seeking adventures our children are encouraged to experience?
Ellen suggests that this type of reflective practice is a simple (and enjoyable) way to become more comfortable in adopting a risk-taking approach to learning in the Early Years. She also encourages practitioners to remind themselves of the feelings they experienced in their younger years when participating in thrill-seeking activities to create new learning opportunities.
Understanding the children’s competencies
Ellen suggests that for practitioners to feel more relaxed in their approach to risk-taking in early childhood, it is important to understand the children’s individual competency, rather than focusing too heavily on their age appropriateness. Language plays a huge part in understanding this and actively engaging with them to guide and scaffold their learning. For example, using questions that encourage children to confirm how they’re feeling or explain what it is they’re doing:
- What is the safest way to do this?
- How does the activity make you feel?
- Do you think you might be too far away?
- Why are you doing this?
Achieving this balance of open-ended play, and appropriate adult intervention will develop key skills and offer endless learning opportunities. Hear all this and so much more in episode 8 of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast series.
Listened and loved it?
Sign-up here for exclusive follow-up content and be the first to hear about new episodes.
Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited.
