UNLOCKING CREATIVITY AND RESILIENCE

Written By Birdie Break

Why our children need unstructured play.

Today, parents find themselves navigating a landscape where structured activities and safety precautions dominate. Yet, nestled within this framework, there's a quiet resurgence of an age-old concept: unstructured play or “risky” play.

Why does play matter?

Play is about nurturing a child’s development in profound ways. Research consistently underscores the importance of play, particularly unstructured outdoor play, when it involves an element of risk, as fundamental to a child’s growth. Beyond the sheer joy of exploration, unstructured play has been shown to have positive impacts on children's health and well-being.

Studies reveal that engaging in activities that push boundaries and challenge comfort zones promotes creativity, resilience, and social skills. Through play, children develop a profound sense of freedom, learning to understand their own limits, and the potential outcomes of their choices. Moreover, this type of play is not just a luxury—it's a fundamental right, as recognized by the United Nations.

Canadian children are spending more time indoors and sedentary than ever before, which means embracing play is essential. And, children are 2x more active when they play outside. But, it's not just about physical activity; it's about developing critical physical skills like climbing, jumping, balancing, and coordination—skills that ultimately prevent injuries while promoting a lifetime of active living. Through taking risks and overcoming challenges, children forge a path to self-esteem and resilience, equipping them to navigate life's uncertainties with courage and confidence.

Structured vs. unstructured or “risky” play?

Both structured and unstructured play have important roles to play in the development of a child, both physically and socially. Typically led by an adult, structured play involves organized activities with clear guidelines and objective such as sports and educational exercise. Conversely, unstructured play is characterized by child-led play without a defined purpose of outcome, where adults ensure the environment is safe for a child to explore and take “risks” both physically and socially.

While both types of play are important for the development of a child, unstructured play or “risky play” has fallen by the wayside, and is critical for physical and cognitive development, specifically executive functioning. Unstructured play has seen a significant decrease in recent years, and it’s having an impact our the development of healthy, creative, and resilient children.

More about “risky” play?

As a term, "risky” play" embodies the essence of outdoor, unstructured play—activities that were once considered the very fabric of childhood. Yet, in today's more vigilant climate, what was once deemed playful exploration now carries the weight of perceived risk. So, what exactly is “risky” play, and why is it so crucial for children's development amidst this landscape of apprehension? Let's delve deeper into the concept and explore its significance in nurturing resilient, creative, imaginative, and emotionally intelligent children.

“Risky” play refers to activities or experiences that involve a degree of uncertainty, challenge, or perceived danger. These activities often push children outside of their comfort zones, encouraging them to take risks, explore their capabilities, and learn how to manage challenges effectively. While not all elements of “risky play” involve a physical risk, some elements of unstructured, or “risky play” include physical challenges like climbing and roughhousing. However, equally important is the imaginative element and social risks children take such as exploring new environments or making friends. The key aspect of “risky play” is that it provides opportunities for children to assess and navigate risks themselves, building confidence, resilience, and important life skills in the process.

Where to start with unstructured play?   

Parents and caregivers can begin incorporating unstructured play into the lives of their children from an early age. Encourage play, particularly child-led and outdoor activities involving any risk that requires a thoughtful balance between fostering exploration and ensuring a child’s safety.

Some examples include:

  • Outdoor exploration

  • Storytelling

  • Building forts

  • Imaginative play

  • Music and dance

  • Exploring heights

  • Riding bicycles

  • Exploring rocky terrain or forests

  • Playing with and in water

  • Balancing and jumping

Taking a collaborative approach with caregivers, family and educators to establish shared comfort levels with risk and create environments that allow for adventure and exploration are key. Parents and caregivers must assess risks relative to their child’s age, allowing them to engage in activities like building forts, inventing games, and exploring. Caregivers and parents should work with children to have constructive discussions on risk management. Providing a space for safe exploration and problem solving is the important role of the parent in play, and then step aside to let children safely explore.

By empowering children to lead their play experiences, we give them the opportunities to be children, to grow and to learn about themselves, and the world around them, in profound ways that screens and structured activities can’t.


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