“Instead of always giving children protection, we need to give them the recognition of their rights and of their strengths.” -Loris Malaguzzi, Italian Educator
Throughout our days at school, we observe risk-taking happening in every child in all areas of development. While observing children master a physical challenge, we will use phrases like, “do you feel safe?” or “you are working so hard to figure that out,” or “I can see you feel proud for climbing so high all by yourself.” We often encourage the children to take as much autonomy over the physical risks they take as possible while still setting safety limits and ensuring children have the skills necessary to problem-solve. We will always help children when they are feeling unsafe or scared; however, we will also encourage them to push themselves while we are nearby, ensuring their safety.
Physical risks are not the only risks we make space for at school. For some children, speaking in front of the group during morning meeting is a risk, especially when they are still getting comfortable being or speaking while at school. Again, we want to make sure children have the tools necessary to be successful while also asking them to be brave
enough to try on their own before we help them. We strive to create a positive classroom environment that encourages children to take risks, make mistakes, and then try again whether that be in climbing our climbing structure, learning the letters in their name, entering play with a group of children, communicating big emotions, etc.
Benefits of Risk-Taking
Children are exposed to new experiences and are pushed outside of their comfort zone while still being in a supportive
environment. It’s important for everyone, including children, to feel uncomfortable sometimes because this is where growth happens Children develop a growth-mindset Learning how to “fail” and try again is so essential to the learning process and essential for all of life Children gain confidence Through taking risks and succeeding children gain confidence in their own abilities Adult interference is needed less when adults acknowledge children’s rights and capabilities, adults are able to observe children and their learning processes and gain a deeper understanding of them.
Children develop new skills Through risk taking children are able to learn and master new skills in all areas of development
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