Risky Outdoor Play: A Homeschool Mom's Perspective
As a mom, my instinct has always been to protect my children from harm and shield them from any potential dangers. The thought of allowing them to take risks in outdoor play used to fill me with anxiety and uncertainty. What if they fell? Or broke a bone? The risk never seemed worth the reward to me. However, as I embarked on this journey of parenthood, I soon realized that risk-taking is an essential part of children's development. I began to understand that it was going to be important for me to overcome my nervousness in order for my children to discover the transformative power of taking risks in outdoor play.
Children learn best through play, it’s a scientifically proven fact, and outdoor play is an invaluable teacher. Instead of focusing solely on potential hazards, I shifted my focus to the incredible benefits my children would gain from exploring the outdoors. Witnessing their joy and enthusiasm during outdoor adventures helped me realize that my fears were holding them back from valuable experiences.
The natural world presents children with uncertainties and challenges that cannot be replicated within the confines of a classroom.
Unstructured play in natural settings stimulates a child's imagination like no other environment can. Nature provides an abundance of stimuli that inspire creativity and innovation. From imagining magical worlds in the woods to constructing dams in streams, children can invent their games and stories, nurturing their imaginative thinking.
Risky outdoor play provides a unique opportunity for children to explore their surroundings, face uncertainties, engage in creative problem-solving, overcome obstacles, and develop essential life skills. These experiences build resilience and teach them that failure is not a setback but an opportunity for growth. When kids climb trees, balance on logs, or build makeshift forts, they learn to assess risks and make informed decisions independently. Encouraging such activities allows them to gain confidence in their abilities, which in turn fosters a sense of independence and self-reliance.
As my children grew older, I gradually learned to trust their judgment and decision-making abilities. By allowing them to take calculated risks, I gave them space to learn from their experiences and develop a deeper understanding of their own capabilities.
Allowing my children to take risks in outdoor play was not an easy decision to make. As a mom, I will always have moments of worry and concern. However, by overcoming my initial nervousness and embracing the concept of outdoor risk-taking, I have witnessed the tremendous growth and development in my children. The joy and confidence they gain from exploring the world around them is worth every moment of unease. As a parent, I must strike a balance between safety and the valuable experiences that come with outdoor play. So I encourage my children to take risks and support them with love and guidance as they discover their potential and embrace the wonders of the great outdoors.
So let us cherish the joys of muddy hands, scraped knees, and wide-eyed wonder as we raise children who are truly connected to both themselves and the world around them.
And whenever I feel like calling out “Be careful!”,
I instead audible to “Have fun!”,
even if I’m silently screaming on the inside.
It helps.