Messy, risky outdoor play is important for children, but adults can stop them enjoying it
There is growing evidence that children today have fewer opportunities for independent, adventurous outdoor play and fewer chances to make decisions and shape their own experiences than previous generations. Just 43% of children and young people aged from eight to 15 in England report spending time outdoors every day or most days. Research suggests that outdoor play has declined by 50% within a generation. Despite this decline, outdoor play is still often viewed as an opportunity for children to learn to manage risk and develop both their confidence and independence. My research explored how children make decisions when playing outside. The findings suggested that when young children hold back and resist risky play outdoors, it is rarely because they lack confidence or even access. Instead, they are responding to the subtle messages adults convey about risk, mess and safety. I carried out the research in a school, in collaboration with a nursery teacher. Our participants were children aged three to five who were enrolled in nursery and reception, meaning the school’s outdoor environment was familiar …
