The Benefits of Risky Play
Introducing VAH Spielzeugmanufaktur - handmade toys and role-play costumes
Kate Kwijas | July 27, 2021
Risky and rough play can evoke mixed emotions in parents. On the one hand, we know it has some benefits, and our children seem to seek this play out. However, we also know that it often “ends in tears” and sometimes makes us uncomfortable. So, should we let our kids engage in risky play?
In this article, Kate shares her findings on the benefits of risky play while introducing us to the wonderful range of handmade toys and costumes from the new-to-Australia toy brand, VAH Spielzeugmanufaktur. Kate’s boys spent a fun afternoon product-testing our VAH bows, arrows, crossbows, swords, shields and costumes – courageously guarding their Kingdom, fighting off mythical beasts and exploring new lands. But don’t assume they were out rescuing princesses! Oh no! The princesses were off on a dragon-fighting mission of their own! (Ask Simon's daughter Klara; she’ll tell you all about it).
What are the benefits of risky play?
Many studies and articles have written about the benefits of risky or so-called rough play. One article published by the Australian Parenting Website, Raising Children, states, "rough play is probably a basic human instinct that helps children develop many skills, but mostly children like this play because it’s fun!" Rough play can help young children:
• Understand the limits of their strength
• Explore their changing positions in space
• Find out what other children will and won’t let them do
• Work out social relationships as they play roles, take turns and sort out personal boundaries
• Build resilience, persistence, confidence and independence
• Develop motor skills, particularly balance and coordination
• Learn to handle tools safely and with purpose
• Develop an understanding of the consequence of action
• Problem solve
So, what exactly is risky play?
Risky play is a natural part of children’s play. It provides opportunities for “challenge, testing limits, exploring boundaries and learning about injury risk" (Sandseter, 2007, Little and Wyver, 2008).
In recent years, many discussions have been about children’s safety in play environments. Many assume that children can play in a safer environment by eliminating risks. However, this approach fails to acknowledge risk-taking as a positive feature of children’s play and learning (Tovey, 2011). It is thought that this may result in children who are less physically fit, have less control over motor skills and are less able to manage risk (Sandseter, 2010). Consequently, risk-taking during play has become increasingly regulated, managed or removed altogether (Tovey, 2010).
How should I go about encouraging risky play at home?
To ensure that everyone enjoys playing, it can be a good idea to set rules about what is and is not okay during risky/rough play. Involving your children in determining the rules will allow them to collaborate to develop limits, consider actions and consequences and feel a sense of ownership over the set boundaries.
Tell me about VAH Spielzeugmanufaktur
One of the six categories of risky play is using ‘dangerous tools’. Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter, a professor at Queen Maud University in Norway, explains that being trusted to handle and control such tools is a great satisfaction.
VAH Toys are not only skilfully created, but they are also made for adventure. The moment they are placed in the hands of a child, that child is transported to a magical land of imagination. They see dragons and friends needing protection; they become knights, princesses, and emperors... They become lost in play in a world where
they make the rules and are limited only by their imagination. They become capable of incredible things, not just of protecting kingdoms but of being trusted with handling such an incredible tool.
Where will your child's next adventure take them?
