Does your child want to climb too high, run too fast, play-fight or use dangerous tools? Let them. Risky play is an important part of child development, according to Canadian professor Dean Kriellaars.
Many parents want to protect their children from any play that could put them at risk of injury. But these games are important for many aspects of child development. When we try to save our children from immediate dangers in the here and now of play, we expose them to greater health risks in the long run, both physically and mentally. We prevent them from learning for life and developing their risk management skills.
In this film, Dr. Dean Kriellaars, world-renowned expert and pioneer in the field of physical literacy literacy, explains why we should let children balance on the edge of danger and ability.
"It is important for parents to allow their children to become motivated, healthy participants in society instead of being afraid."
