945 East 21st Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Location – 945 east 21st avenue
Topic – The role of Risky Play and Nature Play on empathy and community building.
This week I did some research into the literature on Risky Play and Nature Play, and found some fascinating links with empathy and community building.
Risky Play is defined by Ellen Sandseter (a Norwegian academic who was amoungst the first to define and research Risky Play) as any play that involves: speed, solitary exploration, rough and tumble, dangerous elements, hazardous tools, and height. Risky play allows children to test out their environment and themselves, and allows them to habituate their fear. It supports team and community building.
Play has been found to be critical in helping children establish: Optimism, confidence, fulfillment, and their authentic self.
Play actually builds up the development of the prefrontal cortex of the brain, allowing us to think critically, build better relationships, and deal effectively with life’s challenges.
This video, called “The power of play” was an excellent resource on the importance of play in nature and risky play: https://gem.cbc.ca/media/the-nature-of-things/s58e12?cmp=DM_DOCS_FEED_GEMCARD_the-power-of-play
This week I really began to think more about the importance of play for children, in building their empathy, sense of self, optimism, and ability to connect with and understand others. I am coming to think that in attempting to build healthy communities, with healthy relationships, we need to encourage play as an integral part of the relationship building and learning for children and adults. And, if this play can occur outside, and involve some risky play elements, that’s even better.