Risky play is important for child development and something children actively seek out. Even the rowdy games are needed, even if they are rarely appreciated by adults. The Swedish Budo and Martial Arts Association has taken this into account through the teaching material "Kamplek i skolan".
In schools, so-called 'rough and tumble' play is commonly banned, precisely because it carries risks of children getting hurt or sad. But research shows that play needs to cross the line into risky activities for children to develop a range of physical and social skills. They even seek out and prefer risky activities where they can test their abilities.
For example, they may chase each other, wrestle, play-fight or climb on each other. In risky play, a child learns for life without being aware of it and learns to manage risks both physically and in their relationships with others.
Martial arts is an arena for joyful and challenging play where people fight against and with each other. The Swedish Budo and Martial Arts Association is actively promoting physical literacy and has developed the test-and-learn material "Kamplek i skolan " to create greater insight into both the merits of martial arts and that schools should not prevent children from developing important skills.
The camp play develops children's communication and interaction with others, managing their own and others' emotions and developing self-awareness and empathy.
The games are developed according to the principles of physical literacy. They are suitable for schoolchildren of all ages and are demonstrated in videos recorded by the association, free for anyone to access. They can be used in PE lessons, during free time and at break times.
Onthe website of the Budo and Martial Arts Federation you can find the complete learning material.
