The existing definition and characteristics of risky play may not be useful for one-year-olds

This observational study focused on risk-taking in play for children one through three years of age. Risk-taking is generally defined as actions with a probability for undesirable results or negative consequences. Children tend to express and practice risk taking during play -- hence the term “risky play.” Previous research suggests that risky play generally occurs during outdoor activities.

Five Norwegian preschool programs participated in this study, including two forest kindergartens where children spend most of their time outdoors in a natural environment. For purposes of this study, the researcher assumed the role of “participant observer” or “detached observer” in each of the programs. Groups of one-to-three-year-old children were observed for ten days. Groups of one-year-old children were observed for four additional days. Data collection included mapping, videotaping, and field notes. Two basic questions guided the data collection process: Are there environmental or individual characteristics in the situation that indicates risk? Can the child's behavior be characterized as play? Coding for each instance of risky play included information about the child, the activity, the staff reaction/involvement, the setting (inside or outside), sociability (alone or with others), and duration.

Risky play was observed in the one-to-three age groups in all five centers every day of observation, with similarities noted across the different contexts. While the risky play of the one-to-three-year olds reflected the characteristics of risky play identified in previous research, there were several deviations identified in the one-year-old group. Differences in risky play between one-year-olds and two-to three-year-olds included the extent to which they were involved in risky play. In the one-to three-year-olds, only about 25% of risky play instances involved the one-year old chidre. Some two- and three-year-olds engaged in risky play up to 17 times in a day; for one-year-olds, the maximum was 10 instances in a day. Additionally, for some one-year-olds, there were no observations of risky play behaviors in a day; for the two- and three-year-olds, there were no individuals with less than two instances of risky play in a day. The risky play of the one-year-olds tended to be brief and solitary compared to the two- and three-year olds. The main risky activity of the one-year-olds was playing with dangerous elements. It also involved the children exploring and testing their surroundings and their bodies, sometimes through "crashing" activities.

This research suggests that the commonly-accepted definition and characteristics of risky play are appropriate for two- and three-year-old children, but that they may not be useful for one-year-olds. The authors suggest adding new categories of risky play to include 'Playing with impact' and 'Vicarious risk.' They also suggest an adapted definition of risky play: “play that involves uncertainty and exploration – bodily, emotional, perceptional or environmental – that could lead to either positive or negative consequences.”