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The ideas in this book will inspire you and give you the confidence to view risk as an integral part of children’s play. With advice on best practice for managing risk safely, this book will help you to embrace the potential learning possibilities, both indoors and outside. Along with clear and supportive guidance, the book contains 50 exciting activities in four sections: creating, experimenting, exploring and experiencing. These sections cover topics ranging from kitchen and campfire activities, using tools and equipment, physical challenges, expedition ideas and many more.
Each comprehensive activity has an introduction, a list of what you will need, guidance on the activity itself, what your role may be, any points to watch out for, and the learning possibilities on offer. 65, A4 pages.
Practical Pre-School Awards Tester –
“We loved this book. It has lots of new ideas we can use in our setting. The photographs are eye-catching which make you want to read on and it will help staff who worry about risky play to plan and will give them confidence when carrying out activities. The activities are innovative, exciting and motivating for both the adult presenting the task as well as the child taking part. The ring binder is a great idea and the lists for each activity are clear, precise and very useful. It is creative, experimental, exploratory, experiencing, and very inclusive and I would highly recommend this teaching resource.”
The Foundation Stage Forum –
The presentation of the book makes for easy reading. Pages are printed on thick paper, on one side only and so are very user friendly. There are exemplifications of the ‘usual’ activities that one might associate with risky play, such as cooking or creating a builders’ ‘yard’ in the garden. Additionally, there are descriptions and planning for more ambitious activities such as making ‘dry slides’ on a shallow slope out of flattened cardboard boxes. With every activity plan, there are question prompts encouraging staff to ask children challenging questions to help them see the possibilities and potential in each activity. The authors reassure staff throughout the book encouraging them to be ambitious whilst still keeping children safe.
I enjoyed the book, and as an experienced teacher I was reminded of things I had forgotten and there were things I hadn’t thought of (stuck in my ways!). For a new practitioner, needing new guidance and support, the information is all there to help you plan and develop activities seeing all the potential learning opportunities. Finally, for a whole staff team training session, the book would make an excellent basis for a cross-provision review and re-evaluation of what you were doing to help children develop in risky play.
http://eyfs.info/resources/books/_/professional-educational/resources-for-practical-activities/were-ok-with-risky-play-50-exciting-adventures-to-build-resilience-and-self-confidence-r133
Rosemary Albone, Early Years Development Consultant –
We’re OK with Risky Play!
I was (safely!) hooked on We’re OK with Risky Play! from the start of the publication as it addresses a topic that is both dear to my professional heart and causes frustration. This book tackles both of these aspects as it positively encourages developmentally-appropriate and interesting risky play. Indeed it highlights the essentials of it for children today and for their future behaviours.
I like the way that the child’s perspective is central throughout; when we often focus a great deal on the implications and concerns for adults, which we all know leads to a dilution of opportunity for children. This book doesn’t shy away from risk in itself but coaches practitioners in manageable ways to work with risk. A huge shift from avoidance to approval.
The use of the 3 As: Adult Role, Availability and Age Considerations provides a step-through-process to understand the activities described and the ‘What YOU do’ section on each page supports practitioners to feel confident about their role within risk.
If you’ve been thinking about risky play, but feel too anxious about facilitating it, this book will encourage you to view it from an entirely different and enabling perspective. Take a risk and read it then get out there and get on with it.
Elizabeth Jarman, Creating Communication Friendly Spaces –
A practical and much needed publication underpinned by a considered rationale to support more ‘risky play’. Packed with ideas, tips and suggestions to extend activities, it really is a must read for all early years colleagues. Great for building staff confidence and strengthening practice to help meet the needs of children today.