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Risky Play

Kid Playing Outdoor

Active energetic/risky play is defined as thrilling and exciting play and is a form of play that involves a risk of physical injury. Providing children with opportunities to engage in energetic active play allows children to develop their awareness of risk and how to regulate their risk taking play according to their fear and ability (Sandseter, 2009). Motivated by the force of knowingly participating in play that involves risk encourages children to become familiar with their environment, boundaries, and how they will handle future risk.

 

Alberta Culture and Tourism provided the EYLRT with a grant in March of 2016, to explore active energetic or risky play for preschool children in child care. To date, we have engaged over thirteen hundred stakeholders to explore potential gaps or inconsistencies in the implementation and interpretation of policies and regulations.

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Adventurous/Risky Play:
Framework for the Early Years

Early Years Physical Literacy Research Team (EYPLRT)

This document was created by an interdisciplinary team to provide a guideline for supporting and enhancing adventurous/risky play for young children in licensed child care settings.

Adventurous/Risky Play:
Framework for the Early Years
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Risky Play:
What is it and why is it
so important for our children?

Early Years Physical Literacy Research Team (EYPLRT)

This risky play infographic was created for a research poster presented at the APA Conference. It outlines and addresses what risky play, why it's important, the benefits, and lastly, how we can help our children. 

Risky Play:
What is it and why is it
so important for our children?
Image by Lorene Farrugia

Exploring Active Energetic Play in Alberta Child Care Centres

This study was conducted to better understand potential

barriers to providing active energetic/risky play by hearing

the perspectives of ECEs, parents, licensing officers, health

inspectors, and owners and operators across Alberta.

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