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The Power of Risky Play in the Early Years
August 2025 | 192 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Harness the learning Power of Risky Play in the Early Years.
Now, more than ever, children need to develop autonomy and decision-making skills. Too often in Early Years settings, opportunities for learning through risky play are missed. In this book, Zoe Sills and Sarah Watkins support you to overcome the barriers to embedding and allowing space for risky play in your setting.
*Know the value of Risky Play
*Create a learning environment that encourages and supports Risky Play
*Feel confident to allow the time and space for Risky Play
*Develop a better understanding of risk and learning.
Children know what they need for their bodies and minds. Through self-directed play, children naturally challenge themselves. They test their physical and emotional boundaries as part of cognitive and physical development. We should be supporting this child-led learning in the Early Years, not limiting it. This book helps you to do this - to harness the learning power of Risky Play.
Now, more than ever, children need to develop autonomy and decision-making skills. Too often in Early Years settings, opportunities for learning through risky play are missed. In this book, Zoe Sills and Sarah Watkins support you to overcome the barriers to embedding and allowing space for risky play in your setting.
*Know the value of Risky Play
*Create a learning environment that encourages and supports Risky Play
*Feel confident to allow the time and space for Risky Play
*Develop a better understanding of risk and learning.
Children know what they need for their bodies and minds. Through self-directed play, children naturally challenge themselves. They test their physical and emotional boundaries as part of cognitive and physical development. We should be supporting this child-led learning in the Early Years, not limiting it. This book helps you to do this - to harness the learning power of Risky Play.
Part one: Exploring ‘risky play’
Chapter 1: What is risky play?
Chapter 2: The history of risk in play
Chapter 3: Why does it matter?
Chapter 4: The benefits of risky play
Chapter 5: The rights of the child
Part two: Creating an environment for risky play
Chapter 6: What are we trying to facilitate and foster?
Chapter 7: Things to consider for the physical environment
Chapter 8: Loose parts
Chapter 9: Small spaces and expeditions
Chapter 10: The emotional environment
Chapter 11: Staff development – hearing and supporting staff
Chapter 12: Getting parents on board
Part three: Risky play in practice
Chapter 13: Risk assessment
Chapter 14: Areas that are most often asked about
Chapter 15: Observation and adaptation
Chapter 16: Rules and boundaries
Chapter 17: Why does discrimination in play matter?
Chapter 18: The role of the adult