By Julie Power
Sixty children aged from six months to five were taught at a Newcastle childcare centre how to play with fire, powertools and knives – everything most modern parents avoid.
Far from resulting in burnt fingers or broken bones, the researchers found exposing toddlers to "risky play" such as access to open flames and genuine tools increased confidence while building safety and risk awareness, according to the University of Newcastle study.
Benji, Rose, Eden, Bowie, Theo and Vivienne. New research shows exposing toddlers to risky play such as access to open flames and genuine tools during early learning increases their safety awareness and promotes risk aversion.Credit:Marina Neil
Over a nine-month period even six-month-old babies were exposed to fire, starting with tea lights on the table at lunchtime and graduating to fire pits, while under careful staff supervision.
The research program was conducted at the Adamstown Early Learning and Preschool, which has a philosophy of encouraging risky play.
A cubbyhouse built by children at a preschool in Adamstown as part of a program exposing them to risk. They built it using hammers, saws and powertools (under supervision.)
Its director Kate Higginbottom said children at the centre regularly engaged in risky play under supervision and accompanied by children entering into agreements about what was safe. Parents at the centre shared that philosophy.
"We value children as being competent, capable and able to learn about risk," she said.
For example, children learnt they could play near fire but they should put their shoes on first and stay at a safe distance. They were also introduced to tools and sharp implements like knives.
"We do use tools, slowly introducing screwdrivers and hammers that we offer to children ... and move into using hacksaws and powertools, used under high levels of supervision."
By the end of the program, the children had built a cubbyhouse themselves.
Ms Higginbottom said the helicopter parenting trend could stop children from ever learning how to cope with risk.
"We have to acknowledge that we are living in this generation of helicopter parenting where children are being wrapped in cotton wool. But what we are showing is, more than ever, children need to engage in these risks to know how to manage them. If we problem solve for them, they won't ever learn how to do it themselves."
For instance, some parents waited until a child was six or older before letting them use a knife, and expected that they would be able to use one safely immediately when they needed to be exposed gradually at an earlier age to the risks.
Ms Higginbottom said the centre's philosophy of encouraging risky play was based on six principles researched by Norwegian Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter. It encourages children to:
1. Play at great height
2. Play at high speeds
3. Play with dangerous tools
4. Play near dangerous elements like fire and water
5. Engage in rough and tumble play
6. Experience getting lost and not being watched by adults.
The research is part of a larger project by UON's Professor Linda Newman and Dr Nicole Leggett.
Associate Professor Newman said there was a tendency for parents and guardians to shelter children from risks that past generations were exposed to.
"Things like playing out in the street or climbing trees are often avoided, but these activities can be vital in shaping a child's perception of the world and how they approach risk, ultimately building resilience in adulthood.
"By implementing risky play in a secure environment as part of early learning, we can ensure young children feel confident to engage with risk safely under supervision rather than on their own," Associate Professor Newman said.