National Position Statement on Risky Play

The Risky Play Position Statement for Young Australian Children has united professionals from medical, educational, and playground design disciplines representing government and not-for-profit sectors across Australia in providing an authoritative voice to advocate for risky play in children’s lives.

Risky play is an inherent and critical component of young children’s play; yet, within Australia, risky play is often missing from children’s lives. This Position Statement challenges the current Australian narrative around risky play and highlights a benefit-risk approach to risky play for all young children.

The Position Statement recognises the importance of risky play for all children’s health and wellbeing. However, the Position Statement intentionally focuses on children aged birth to 8 years. The first eight years of life is a critical time for overall child development including, the development of risk literacy skills, risk management skills and a healthy appetite for risk. Children during this period are receptive towards change and challenge; and the skills developed during this time form the foundation for decision-making as they gain independence in later years.

The Position Statement addresses these misperceptions and provides current research evidence about risky play. Throughout the Position Statement guidance pertaining to hazards, risks and safety are intentionally prominent. Risky play is not unsafe play; it may involve some risk of injury, but it does not involve hazards that cause injuries. Further the Position Statement highlights the role of adults in children’s risky play. Adults can support children’s engagement in safe risky play and promote children’s refinement of their risk-management and risk literacy skills critical throughout life. 

Join the authors for an opportunity to discuss the document and its application to your work!