Risky play in this study is defined as t at involve a risk of physical injury. Children frequetly seek and engage in challenging and risky forms of play even though, and in some degree because, it involves the possibility of getting hurt (Adams, 2001; Aldis, 1975; Smith, 1998; Stephenson, 2003). Due to Western society’s safety concerns, the issue of children’s risky play and the extent such play should be regulated are ongoing and important debates. These play safety debates have brought forth safety legislation and litigations from worried parents and child care workers. This has raised further discussions on the balance between safety legislation and litigations on one hand, and the benefits of such play for child development on the other hand (Ball, 1995, 2002, 2004; Boyesen, 1997; Breivik, 2001; Caesar, 2001; Chalmers, 2003a; Freeman, 1995; Furedi, 2001; Heseltine, 1995; Little, 2006; New, Mardell, & Robinson, 2005; Satomi & Morris, 1996; Sawyers, 1994; Smith, 1998; Stephenson, 2003; Stine, 1997; Stutz, 1995; Zeece & Graul, 1993). Most of the time, play happens under adult supervision, therefore regulating what children are allowed to do and where they are allowed to go (Kyttä, 2004). In this sense, adults are contributing to child safety when playing, and, at the same time, they represent the biggest constraint on the child’s ability to encounter risks and challenges that are ultimately beneficial for development (see e.g. Ball, 2002; Furedi, 2001; Gill, 2007; Hughes & Sturrock, 2006).
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