In the article ‘Why kids need to take more risks: science reveals the benefits of wild, free play’, the researchers recommend that parents and teachers give children a little freedom when they engage in risky play on their own. This is very important for healthy physical, mental and emotional development. As a result, children can develop qualities that will be very useful in their lives, such as spatial awareness, coordination, tolerance of uncertainty and self-confidence. It also stimulates problem-solving abilities and social skills such as cooperation, negotiation and empathy. There are benefits in the longer term as well: children who spend more time engaging in adventurous play show fewer signs of anxiety and depression than those who do not. Moreover, children who do not engage in risky play are more likely to take negative risks later in life. For example, they are more likely to engage in shoplifting because they have not learned to distinguish between positive and negative risks.
Response from NJi
Marielle Balledux of the Netherlands Youth Institute responds to the research: “Running, jumping, falling, climbing trees and playing with ‘loose parts’ such as tubes or logs help develop children’s motor skills. It makes children agile. They learn to play together, meet others and find their place in the group. And exercising outdoors improves blood flow, increases blood flow to the brain and improves concentration. It is educational too: it makes you independent, resilient and better able to stand up for yourself.”
According to Balledux, it is important for parents not to keep an eye on their child all the time. “Playing is something children do, with children playing together. Adults should not interfere. It is understandable that some parents find this difficult and need time to get used to it. It is a gradual process. What matters is not to let yourself be guided by thoughts of everything that could go wrong. Falling and getting a bruise: it is part of growing up, and children often do not mind it at all.”