Last week, a student carefully balanced across a fallen log while others offered supportive words. She paused at the midpoint, steadied herself, and continued with quiet determination. When she jumped down, it was clear she had discovered something powerful about her own abilities.
Moments like these define Asheville Farmstead School. They are examples of risky play—adventurous, open-ended exploration that invites children to test limits, problem-solve, and build resilience. Research shows that when guided safely, risky play is essential for healthy child development.
What is Risky Play?
Risky play involves activities with uncertainty and challenge, such as climbing, balancing, exploring heights, using real tools, or engaging in rough-and-tumble play.
Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter (2007) identifies six types: heights, speed, tools, dangerous elements, rough-and-tumble, and independent exploration. At Farmstead, this includes climbing trees, swinging on the slacklines, or building shelters in the woods. The goal is for children to assess risk and make choices, with adults guiding rather than controlling.
Benefits of Risky Play
Physical Development: Climbing trees and navigating uneven ground builds strength, balance, and coordination. A 2015 review in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that children engaging in risky outdoor play have higher physical activity levels and improved motor skills.
Emotional Growth: Risky play teaches children to manage fear and uncertainty. Psychologist Peter Gray (2013) links declining adventurous play to higher anxiety in children, highlighting the importance of safely taking risks.
Cognitive Development: Deciding whether a branch will hold weight involves observing, predicting, testing, and adjusting—real-time problem-solving that can’t be taught indoors.
Social Skills: Children negotiating roles, sharing tools, or supporting each other’s exploration practice collaboration and empathy.
Addressing Parent Concerns
Parents naturally want to protect children, but avoiding all risk can leave them less prepared for challenges. At Farmstead, safety is prioritized: children climb within safe height ranges, check branches, or use tools under supervision. Encouraging children to assess risks themselves helps them develop independence and confidence.
Risky Play in Action
Every day, risky play unfolds at Farmstead:
Sprouts experiment with sticks and rocks, exploring how to balance or manipulate them.
Littlest Learners build rope swings, test jumping distances, or construct forts.
Teachers encourage reflection and planning with questions like, “Does that feel steady?” or “What’s your plan for getting down?” This approach supports children in navigating challenges safely and learning their own limits.
Supporting Risky Play at Home
Families can encourage adventurous play without a forest:
Offer climbing or balancing opportunities, like playgrounds or backyard obstacle courses.
Let children explore outdoors, even if it gets messy.
Ask guiding questions: “What’s your plan?” or “Do you feel steady?”
Encourage effort, curiosity, and persistence rather than focusing on results.
At Asheville Farmstead School, risky play is a cornerstone of growth. It strengthens bodies, minds, and social-emotional skills—all while children explore, experiment, and enjoy nature. With guidance and encouragement, children learn to navigate challenges safely, independently, and confidently.
